The National Transport Authority has allocated funds to local authorities across Ireland for the ongoing delivery of active travel schemes in 2025. Overall, Laois, Westmeath, and Longford will receive €3.5 million each, while Offaly will receive €2.75 million in Active Travel funding in 2025.  Active travel grants help to deliver projects that will encourage walking and cycling across the country. The overall allocation of funding from the government is €294,430,134. It represents the last non-greenway element of the coalition’s promised €350 million spending per year for active travel. The funding includes projects at different stages of planning, design, and construction.

Range of walking and cycling schemes supported

The funding will support a range of walking and cycling schemes, including improved pedestrian environments, new segregated cycling lanes, pedestrian and cycling bridges, and pedestrian crossings.

€3.5 million in active travel grants for Laois projects

Laois has been allocated €3.5 million. Portarlington will receive the largest funding in the county, with €675,000 for an active travel scheme from the Station Road to Canal Road. €650,000 has been allocated for the second phase of Triogue Way, Portlaoise. This is part of the construction of a shared, pedestrian and cycle route from The People’s Park, off the Timahoe Road, to Green Mill Lane, off the Ridge Road.  €330,000 is allocated for staff costs at Laois County Council’s Active Travel Office.

The Borris Road, Portlaoise, has been allocated €300,000 for an Active Travel Scheme, while the Dublin Road, Portlaoise, has been allocated €35,000.

Longford will secure €3.5 million in funding for local projects.

The Pedestrian and Cycle scheme in Granard will receive €510,000, while a similar scheme for the R392 in Ballymahon will receive €490,000.  Templemichael Cycleway and Camlin Bridge to Mall, Longford Town will receive €205,000.

Offaly County Council has been allocated €2.75 million in 2025.

A total of 21 projects across Offaly have been allocated funding as part of the scheme, which will go towards the development of segregated cycle lanes and widened footpaths, new walking and cycling bridges, and new pedestrian crossings.

Tullamore Urban Greenway has been allocated €540,000; Birr Riverside Upgrade links, €258,000; and Rhode Pedestrian Crossings & Footpaths, €130,000. Cox’s Bridge, R443-2 Clara Road, Tullamore, €250,000; Edenderry Harbour & Grand Canal Link, €145,000; and Tullamore Spollenstown Road New Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge,  €145,000.

Westmeath will receive €3.5 million in funding.

Almost €1.7m has been allocated for the new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Saunder’s Bridge in Mullingar. €460,000 has been allocated for Active Travel staff costs in Westmeath, while €137,000 has been allocated for the Grange South to Orbital C-Link Active Travel Scheme.

One of the key aims cited is to increase the number of walking and cycling networks so that walking, cycling, and public transport will account for 50% of all journeys made by 2030.

The breakdown by council area can be found at nationaltransport.ie.