Laois cycling and walking gets €3.5 m boost

Portarlington is the biggest recipient of funding under the National Transport Authority's 2026 grant scheme for walking and cycling infrastructure.

Laois is getting €3.5 m out of the €360 million in Government funding announced on January 19 for Active Travel and Greenways in 2026. This money is distributed among Laois and other county councils to develop walking and cycling projects around the country.  

The biggest allocation, €525,000, is going to an active travel scheme on the Station and Canal Roads in Portarlington. Apart from serving Port's Train Station, there are two big primary schools served by the two roads.

Pedestrian and bicycle access for secondary school students in the town will also be enhanced with confirmation that Offaly County Council is getting €250,000 for work at Coláiste Íosagáin, which is located off the Tullamore Road. 

The second single biggest allocation to Laois County Council is earmarked for Portlaoise, where a further €500,000 is to be spent on Phase 2 Triogue Way walking and cycling route.

A total of €655,000 is to be allocated under the Safe Routes to School scheme, with €200,000 each going to schools in The Heath, Rath and Wolfhill, with a further €55,000 going to St Paul's NS in Mountmellick. 

School safety should also be enhanced in Mountrath, where €125,000 is to be spent on New Line Road in the vicinity of St Vincent's Boys National School.

At €330,000, staff costs at Laois County Council represent nearly 10% of the allocation to Laois. 

While €62 m has been allocated to deliver Greenway projects across Ireland, there is no money in the envelope for such projects in Laois. There is no designated greenway in Laois.

A further €50,000 has been allocated to explore the potential for a Greenway from Abbeyleix to Portlaoise. It is not clear if this is the same €50,000 that was allocated in 2025 and 2024 but not drawn down. 

The money for Laois is allocated as follows: 

• Active Travel Scheme, Dublin Road, Portlaoise € 500,000
• Safe Routes to School - St Paul's NS, Mountmellick Round 2 € 55,000
• Laois County Council Active Travel Office - staff costs € 330,000
• Active Travel, permeability scheme, Mountmellick € 200,000
• Triogue Way, Portlaoise - Phase 2 € 500,000
• Active Travel Scheme, Station Road & Canal Road, Portarlington € 525,000
• Safe Routes to School Rath NS € 200,000
• Safe Routes to School Scoil an Fhraoich Mhóir, The Heath, € 200,000
• Safe Routes to School Wolfhill NS € 200,000
• Cullahill junction tightening and pedestrian crossing scheme € 25,000
• Junction tightening scheme at Knockhiel Drive and O'Daly Terrace, Rathdowney € 125,000
• Active travel scheme at New Line Road, Mountrath € 125,000
• Harpurs Lane active travel scheme and roundabout upgrade € 15,000
• Bus Stop enhancement programme € 500,000

The Department of Transport says the Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme in the National Transport Authority (NTA) was allocated €290 m for the development of walking and cycling infrastructure in villages, towns and cities. This funding will enable almost 1,000 projects of varying scale to progress in 2026.

An additional €8 million is available to fund smaller-scale behavioural change and training programmes. These include CycleRight training in primary schools and the NTA’s Smarter Travel Workplaces and Campuses Programme.

The Department of Transport says 200 km of walking and cycling infrastructure will be delivered in 2026, in line with the target set out in the Climate Action Plan. It is claimed that this investment programme is a "key enabler" in reducing our transport emissions.

Laois TD Seán Fleming welcomed the funding especially the money for bus stops.

"As we are all aware the town link and local link buses are a great addition to our villages and towns and are utilised by so many people helping them from connect town to town and within our towns. It modernises public transport with consistent and accessible bus stops whilst making better connectivity for our communities. This programme aims to provide more bus stops focusing on better shelters, uniform bus poles and better passenger amenities," he said.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien announced the funding. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports with NTA Chief Executive Anne Shaw and (TII) Chief Executive Lorcan O’Connor at the announcement. Pic: Maxwell’s

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“The allocation of €360 million in 2026 for active travel and greenway projects demonstrates the Government’s commitment to expanding sustainable transport options and delivering on the provision of safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.

"The €290 million invested in the NTA’s Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme will assist with the development of key active travel networks in our villages, towns and cities, making walking and cycling a viable option for more of our population. The investment of €62 million in our Greenways network, meanwhile, will help deliver key projects all over the country and is another step towards the development of a National Cycle Network,” he said.

NTA Chief Executive Anne Shaw said the money will allow the NTA to support every local authority to deliver safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists, improved public spaces, and an overall environment where more and more of us can choose active and sustainable travel for our everyday journeys.

"This continuation of a high level of funding for active travel will have a real impact for communities in our cities, towns and villages. We look forward to seeing what our local authorities can achieve with this funding in 2026 and in the years to come.”

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Chief Executive Lorcan O’Connor said the 2026 Greenway funding highlights the commitment of the Department of Transport and the Government to deliver active travel options throughout the country.

"TII, along with our Local Authority partners commit to working with other key stakeholders toward the delivery of these important Greenway Projects,” said Mr O'Connor.