Cork walking and cycling infrastructure projects allocated €47m in funding

Almost 1,000 projects nationwide this year will be targeted with €360m in funding

 Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien with NTA chief executive Anne Shaw and Transport Infrastructure Ireland chief  Lorcan O’Connor at the announcement of €360m in Government funding for Active Travel and Greenways in 2026. Picture: Maxwell’s  

Capital funding of €360m to develop walking and cycling projects has been announced by Government, with almost €47m targeting projects in Co Cork.

Almost 1,000 projects nationwide this year will be targeted with €290m funding for walking and cycling infrastructure, including the Lehenaghmore Road Improvement Scheme in Cork city; the Mary Immaculate College to City Centre Active Travel Scheme in Limerick; the Tramore Ring Road Active Travel Scheme in Waterford, and the Broadmeadow Estuary Greenway in Dublin. 

Funds of €62m have been allocated towards greenway projects across Ireland, including the South Kerry Greenway, the extension of the Ulster Canal Greenway in Monaghan, andcycleway facilities along the N60 between Castlebar to Breaffy, and the Blacksod Bay Loop Scheme, both in Mayo. It is expected that 200 km of walking and cycling infrastructure will be delivered in 2026.

An additional €8m of funding will go towards safety, behavioural change, and training programmes, including the CycleRight training in primary schools and the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Smarter Travel Workplaces and Campuses Programme.

Cork Co Council will receive €27,050,000 in active travel and greenway allocations while Cork Co Council will receive €19,875,000.

Kerry Co Council has been allocated €12.7m; Limerick City & County Council €19.355m, Waterford City & County Council  €9m, Tipperary Co Council €4.5m, and Clare Co Council will receive €3,985,000. Funding of €10m will go to Galway Co Council while Dublin City Council will receive €35.95m, DLR €18.45m, and Fingal Co Council €24m. 

"The funding commitment announced today will allow the NTA to support every local authority across the country as they continue to deliver safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists, improved public spaces to enjoy, and an overall environment where more and more of us can choose active and sustainable travel for our everyday journeys," said NTA chief executive Anne Shaw.

Works started on the Lehenaghmore Road Improvement Scheme in Cork city in August 2025, and is expected to take 18 months. It includes new footpaths and pedestrian crossings, improved junctions and sightlines, new public transport and cycle facilities, and improved public lighting and traffic calming solutions.