€15m in funding for local authorities to improve outdoor infrastructure

Gary Ibbotson 26 Apr 2021

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. has announced the opening of a new €15 million ‘Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund’ to help ensure a “safe outdoor summer.”

A statement from the Department of Transport said that “the funding will support local authorities in enhancing outdoor urban space and improving walking and cycling infrastructure.

“This will assist the safe outdoor re-opening of society as Ireland gradually emerges from current COVID-19 public health restrictions.”

Local authorities are invited to apply under the funding stream for short term measures which will help create safe outdoor urban spaces for the public.

“The measures will need to be quickly implemented and provide areas in villages, towns, and cities where people can walk, cycle and gather outdoors while practicing social distancing.”

The funding will allow for changes to traffic management arrangements to facilitate the reallocation of road space to improve facilities and safety for urban pedestrians and cyclists.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include street pedestrianisation measures, reallocation of road and street space, traffic management improvements, and other minor improvements.

Minister Ryan said: “While we continue our efforts with social distancing, we also need to provide ways for people to meet, exercise and access local amenities in a safe way, so we can all have a good summer.

“Through a combination of government initiatives, local authorities will now have the resources required to help reimagine our cities, towns and villages so that they can prioritise outdoor living in the summer months.

“We want to facilitate local businesses and the public in making the most of our outdoor spaces so that recreational activities can be safe and enjoyed by all.”

The additional outdoor infrastructure fund will be administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of its overall national funding programme.

A document has been issued to all local authorities with information on how to apply to the programme with allocations announced in the coming weeks.

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