Laois villages not big enough for €289 m walking and cycling fund

Clonaslee and other Laois villages do not qualify for special funding to get people out of cars because it is not a big enough urban area.

That’s what emerged at a recent meeting in Laois County Council where a councillor enquired about getting money for footpaths and lights in the Slieve Bloom village.

The Active Travel Grants Programme funds important projects supporting strategic pedestrian and cyclist routes, access to schools, permeability links, urban greenways and some minor public transport improvement projects.

Cllr Seamus McDonald, Fianna Fáil, tabled a motion calling on Laois County Council to provide footpaths and public lighting at Tullamore Road in Clonaslee.

In reply, Mr. Diarmuid Donohue, S.E.E. in the council’s Active Travel section, said these works do not meet the requirements for Active Travel. He said alternative funding to be sought.

Cllr McDonald said he was disappointed with the reply. He said the road is busy and people living along the road need safer access.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent, asked why it didn’t qualify.

In reply, Mr Donal Brennan, Director of Services, said Active Travel Funding focuses on bigger towns with higher population densities.

“It is unfortunate that the Active Travel conditions don’t extend to villages,” he said.

Over €20,000 awarded to customers in a Laois credit union

He added that Active Travel funding is not awarded to address safety.

The National Transport Authority, which oversees the scheme says that, in 2022 it allocated funds to Ireland’s local authorities with a view to spending €289 million on over 1200 walking and cycling infrastructure projects.

The issue was raised at the December meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District in County Hall Portlaoise