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€750,000 has been granted for Tralee projects under the Active Travel Measures Allocations for 2020 announced by the Government.
€400,000 is allocated for the extension of pedestrian zone at The Mall and €350,000 for construction of new pedestrian and cycling facilities through Island of Geese site from the junction of the R874 (Matt Talbot Road) and Strand Street to the town centre.
In all, €1,907,500 is to be invested in cycling and walking facilities in the county, a move welcomed by members of the Green Party in Kerry. However, they are calling for the speedy appointment of an experienced cycling officer to oversee the projects to ensure high quality and value for money.
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“To date, Kerry County Council has failed to deliver high quality cycling and walking infrastructure,” says Anne-Marie Fuller, Green Party representative for Tralee. “I sincerely hope they will appoint a cycling officer to oversee these projects as soon as possible.”
In Killarney €210,000 will be spent on improvement and widening of pedestrian facilities at Rock Road, the primary access route from large housing developments at Ballydribeen to the schools on New Road Killarney. It will also improve linkage from the bus park on Rock Road to schools.
A further €450,000 will be spent on the new cycleway connecting Muckross Road to Ross road, where the existing is unsuitable for cycling facilities, while €150,000 will be spent on cycling networks in the town centre and €20,000 on bicycle parking. A further €327,000 will be spent on similar facilities in towns around the county.
Also, €698,500 has been granted to Kerry County Council under the Climate Change Adaptation Allocations 2020.
“The Active Travel grant scheme is a very positive initiative which will see communities across the country benefiting from improved and more accessible walking and cycling infrastructure as well as stimulating local employment,” says Transport Minister Eamon Ryan.
“The projects included in the scheme can make a real difference to people – footpaths and cycle ways that allow children to walk/cycle to school and to local sport clubs; footpaths and pedestrian crossings that improve access to local amenities and links to public transport; and improvements to town and village centres that will support our hard hit retail and hospitality sectors.”
