Government to spend over €3 million on active travel in Carlow

TENS of kilometres of cycle lanes will be created and maintained in Carlow in 2026, thanks to a €3 million funding commitment for active travel from the Department of Transport. The county received similar allocations from the department in 2023 and 2024. 

The second phase of the Carlow to SETU pedestrian and cycle scheme received €1.2m, which was particularly welcomed by TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness and minister of state at the Department of Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. The Church Street, Graiguecullen scheme received €400,000 and the Dublin Road scheme in Carlow received €75,000. In Tullow, Hillbrook estate will receive €250,000 for Tullow Orbital Project. 

Five school areas also received funding: Queen of the Universe, Muinebeag (€310,000), Presentation de la Salle College, Bagenalstown (€200,000), St Brigid’s National School, Grange, Tullow (€200,000), Presentation College (€20,000) and St Joseph's NS, Carlow (€20,000). 

A further €325,000 was allocated for staff costs in Carlow to realise the schemes and the county received €500,000 from the National Transport Authority to fund the bus stop enhancement programme.

Nationally, minister for transport Darragh O’Brien announced €290 million will be spent on walking and cycling projects carried out by the National Transport Authority in 2026. The department has earmarked €8 for training programmes such as CycleRight training in primary schools and a further €62 million for greenway projects.