Carlow receive €3 million investment from the National Transport Authority

Green Party TD for Carlow Kilkenny and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan has announced that Carlow will receive a €3 million investment from the NTA. The funding is set to transform the experience of walking, wheeling or cycling around Carlow, making it a safer and more appealing option for more people.

This year’s allocation is an increase from the €2.7 million allocated to Carlow last year. Welcoming the announcement from the NTA that it will fund 12 individual transport projects in Carlow this year, totaling €3,018,000, Minister Noonan said:

'I’m pleased to see continued investment into making Carlow safer and easier to get around on foot and on a bike. This funding allocation includes €510,000 for the Safe Routes to School programme for five Carlow schools which will enable more kids to walk, cycle or scoot to school safely. This is a great way for kids to stay healthy and take cars off the road.'

'I’m especially pleased to see significant funding to make the Tullow Road and the Dublin Road safer with over €1.5 million allocated between them. A new pedestrian and cycle project to connect SETU with Carlow town and make it easier for students to get around is also included.'

Included in the overall allocation is €323,000 in staffing costs for experienced engineers and planners to roll out these measures.

Minister Noonan continued: 'It’s important to note that this funding isn’t just about new projects. We’re seeing investment into essential improvements such as pedestrian crossings and footpath upgrades. This should result in significant improvements to our public realm.'

Green Party Candidate for Bagnelstown Liam O’Brien, said: 'The best towns in the world to live in are those with safe and attractive public spaces that are easy to walk and cycle around. It’s wonderful to see this idea being embraced by Irish towns again. With continued investment like this to help more people choose walking and cycling where possible, we can transform Carlow.'

In addition to this €3 million for walking and cycling, a further €500,000 has been allocated for Carlow under the Bus Stop Enhancement Programme to provide bus shelters and improved information for passengers to make travelling on public transport easier and more comfortable.