KENNY WELCOMES €7 MILLION FUNDING FOR CYCLE ROUTES

Posted on June 7, 2012 1:12 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin North East Labour Party T.D. and Oireachtas Transport Committee member, Seán Kenny has welcomed an announcement by Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly of funding worth €7 million euro for an investment programme to develop cycle routes.

"This funding scheme represents a very significant investment in cycling, and is an important aspect of realising the commitment to cycling outlined in the Programme for Government. The funding will see sixteen separate cycling projects built across the country over the next two to years amounting to an additional 334 kilometres of cycleway as part of the National Cycle Network. These projects will enhance both the experience and attractiveness of cycling across the country.

"This is part of our efforts to create a more cycle-friendly culture across the country and to try and get as many people out of their cars and onto the bikes. Having high-quality routes across the country is a key part of that. Also many of these routes have huge tourism potential so hopefully it will lead to some job creation.

"The funding follows a commitment in the programme for Government to continue National Cycle Policy Framework. A competitive funding scheme was launched in March 2012 to fund Local Authorities to deliver cycling routes around the country which could act as both transport corridors and recreational and tourism amenities.

"The programme will deliver a wide variety of route types, including on road routes along rural roads and former national roads, and off-road routes along former rail lines and canal tow paths. The routes will provide valuable transport and recreational infrastructure, with some of the routes having the potential to become tourism attractions in their own right."

"The announcement comes just weeks before National Bike Week starting June 16th which will see a series of cycling events being held across the country."