 Monaghan & Cavan County Councils have been awarded €446,500 for sustainable travel projects across the region. The Sustainable Travel Project comes under the Government Jobs Initiative and is part of an overall spend of €15 million. In total, approximately 330 jobs will be created by the project throughout the country. Deputy Sean Conlan stated “Monaghan & Cavan County Councils are two of only 19 councils awarded funding under this scheme which has a total budget of €4 million. The criteria for funding stipulated that proposed projects be labour intensive in order to maximise short term job creation, and be capable of being completed within the 2011 calendar year. Projects that boosted or supported tourism development were also more favourably considered.” The Fine Gael Deputy highlighted “the funding allocated to Monaghan County Council supports the provision of covered bike parking for ten bikes at fifteen bus stop locations, bike parking for five bikes at Community Centres at twenty five locations and covered bike parking for ten bikes at car parks at ten locations. The project is extensive and thankfully will reach towns and nine villages in County Monaghan. The funding allocated to Cavan County Council supports the provision of 2.6 km of 1.5 m cycle lanes plus bike parking in Cavan town and in nine other towns in the county.” “On completion these projects will be of great benefit to tourists and locals alike. I am especially pleased with the provision of bike parking at bus stops as commuters will now have the option of cycling to the bus. Furthermore, cycling is a rapidly growing sport in Ireland and these projects will support and develop the sport across the region. Indeed, any initiative that encourages people to get active and makes sport more accessible must be commended.” |
Friday, 22 July 2011 12:00