Over 330 jobs created with 25 person-years of employment for sustainable travel projects
Mr Alan Kelly T.D. Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, today (11 July) announced the release of €4million worth of funding for sustainable travel projects outside the Greater Dublin Area as part of the Jobs Initiative Smarter Travel Funding Package. In the region of 330 additional jobs will be created or as much as 25 person years of employment providing some small stimulus to the local economy.
"These jobs would not be here without a change of Government," said Minister Kelly. "Hopefully this will get people off the dole, improve our transport and tourism potential and result in money being spent in our regional high streets. It is not a full solution but will provide some help to our non-urban areas,"
"Job creation is a key priority. In the transport area, a key priority is to deliver a sustainable travel future. Today’s funding package delivers on these priorities in local communities right around the country."
"This €4 million allocation is in addition to €10 million worth of jobs intensive sustainable travel projects which have already been announced for the Greater Dublin Area and the regional cities."
Among the projects which were nominated by the local authorities concerned and have been selected for funding by Minister Kelly are –
· Cavan – provision of cycle lanes and cycle parking in Cavan town plus cycle parking in 9 other towns (to be selected by County Council);
· Donegal – provision / upgrading of footpaths / cycle paths / traffic calming measures in various locations including Gweedore, Buncrana, Ballybofey, Fintown, Glencolmcille, Letterkenny, Milford, Donegal Town, Muff and Rathmelton;
· Limerick and North Tipperary – provision of 54 km of marked cycle track on hard shoulder of R.445 between Nenagh and Limerick
· Waterford – provision of walking and cycling path in Dungarvan.
The other successful counties are – Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Sligo, South Tipperary, Roscommon, Westmeath and Wexford.
Details of the successful projects are available in the Appendix.
It is estimated that every 100,000 spent will create up to 12 or 13 jobs which will generate approximately 333 jobs.
"Based on the local authorities’ estimates, delivery of these projects will provide the equivalent of some 25 person-years employment," Minister Kelly stated. "Given that all these projects – which are spread throughout the country – must be delivered before the end of the year, this will represent a real and tangible boost to local economies in 2011.
"The benefits from the projects will, however, extend well into the future," Minister Kelly continued. "Depending on the particular project, among these benefits will be increased safety for children going to and from schools; a chance to take to the bike or to your feet for commuting, fun or regular exercise; opportunities to grow the local tourism product or, quite simply, nicer places in which to live."
Local Authority | Funding € | 2011 Jobs Initiative Smarter Travel Funding Package Short description of project |
1. South Tipperary Co Co | 260,000 | Creation of a pedestrian priority corridor between Showgrounds and O’Connell Street, Clonmel ensuring attractive, accessible and safe pedestrian cycling and walking route between town centre and new edge of town shopping centre 1km away. |
2. Kilkenny Borough Council | 125,000 | Provision of pedestrian and cycle links from Kilkenny City Centre to new civic amenity area. Will lead to 10% reduction in car use and increase of 90% cyclist & pedestrian traffic |
3. Mayo Co Co | 97,150 | Construction of 20km cycle lanes along arterial route serving Ballina with signage and information |
4. Limerick/Nth Tipperary Co Co | 600,000 | Provision of 54 km of marked cycle track on hard shoulders of R.445 between Nenagh and Limerick. |
5. Offaly Co Co | 210,000 | Provision of 4 km of cycle routes in Tullamore Town following the opening of the Tullamore By-Pass which has removed significant traffic from the town and also in accordance with recommendation of Tullamore transportation study. |
6. Roscommon Co Co | 100,000 | Sligo Road, Cortober. Provision of 185m footpath on westbound side of Sligo Road and two controlled pedestrian crossings. This is the only access to Carrick on Shannon from County Roscommon and provides a safe pedestrian link between established residential areas in Cortober and Carrick on Shannon and facilitates tourist pedestrian movements between tourism attractions on opposite sides of the River Shannon. |
7. Monaghan Co Co | 140,000 | Provision of covered bike parking for 10 bikes each at bus stops at 15 locations, bike parking for 5 bikes each at Community Centres at 25 locations, covered bike parking for 10 bikes each at car parks at 10 locations. The project will reach towns and 9 villages in County Monaghan. |
8. Longford Co Co | 200,000 | Provision of pedestrian bridge and boardwalk to improve pedestrian access to a recreational walking route and a Sports & Leisure Complex and further link the area to the Town Centre in Longford town. |
9. Cork Co Co | 177,000 | In Mallow, Implementation of the Old Cork Road Traffic Calming and School Access Scheme through the installation of bus parking lay-by, new footpaths, traffic calming features. |
Cork Co Co (2) | 76,000 | Push button activated pedestrian crossing and 160m length of 2.0m wide footpath at Park Road, Clonakilty |
10. Westmeath Co Co | 150,000 | Extension of existing cycle route from Ballinea to Shandonagh by 2.5 km. |
11. Donegal Co Co | 302,500 | Provision and upgrading of footpaths and cycleway ways in 10 towns around the county |
12. Sligo Co Co | 281,741 | Extension of Sligo City Smarter Travel Trail by 5km to and within Cleveragh Regional Park |
13. Cavan Co Co | 306,500 | Provision of 2.6 km of 1.5 m cycle lanes plus bike parking in Cavan town plus bike parking in 9 other towns in the county |
14. Clare Co Co | 300,000 | Provision of improved walking and cycling infrastructure in Kilkee, Ennis, Killaloe, Lahinch, Kilrush and Shannon |
15. Kerry Co Co | 218,545 | Installation of a 1.7 km cycle lane facilitating student pedestrian and cyclists to access the schools within Killarney Town; will also provide link to tourist trail; and provide a link with two existing cycle lanes. |
16. Leitrim Co Co | 120,000 | Provision of Walkway along R284 from Battlebridge and Leitrim Village |
17. Waterford Co Co | 300,434 | Provision of cycle and walking route in Dungarvan |
18. Wexford Co Co | 100,000 | Improvement of access for people with disabilities at 2 bus stops and to train station in Wexford Town |
19. Louth Co.Co | 180,000 | Provision of school cycle parking and improved pedestrian infrastructure linking public transport drop off points to schools in Dundalk |