The €9 million announced for Greenways and cycling infrastructure in Budget 2020 is "shockingly low", but Galway must still press ahead to secure funding for greenways in the city and county.
This is the view of the Green Party Galway City West councillor, Pauline O'Reilly, who called on Galway's local authorities to "move ahead urgently", so as not to be left behind in securing funding.
She pointed out that the €9 million announced on Tuesday by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe represents a 50 per cent drop in funding from 2015, and she contrasted it with the Dutch approach of a five year plan to invest €352 million into cycling in Amsterdam.
"Our infrastructure for cyclists is dangerously low compared to our European neighbours," she said, "and it is split between cycle lanes for commuting and Greenways for leisure and tourism. Think how we could transform Galway with 20 per cent of the transport budget invested in cycling and walking! Green tourist infrastructure such as the Connemara, Barna, and urban greenways is the way forward for our economy in Galway. They bring vital investment and deliver on our climate commitments."
