Minister and Fine Gael TD John Cummins has welcomed this morning’s announcement that over €3.7 million has been awarded towards Greenway funding in Waterford and the South East.
This includes €2.5 million to the South East Greenway which will link Waterford city to New Ross, Co Wexford.
There has also been €1.2 million allocated to Waterford city and county council for the maintenance and upgrade of the existing award-winning Waterford Greenway.
The Exchequer capital funding available for greenways from the Department of Transport this year is €74.5 million. The majority of the capital funding, €67 million, available for Greenways is allocated to the Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) Greenway Infrastructure programme.
Speaking on the announcement Minister Cummins said: “This is another significant boost for Waterford with millions of euro being announced this morning towards our recreational infrastructure.
“The €2.5 million allocation to the South East Greenway will further support the delivery of the 24km long former railway line between New Ross and Waterford city into a top-quality walking and cycling route.
“When it is fully completed and joined up with the 46km Waterford Greenway via the new sustainable transport bridge on the North Quays site, it will mean there is a 70km long off-road walking and cycling route between New Ross and Dungarvan. This will be of enormous benefit to the local economy and will attract further tourism into our city and county.
“The €1.2 million allocated to Waterford city and county council for our existing Greenway infrastructure will enable our local authority to maintain and enhance what has become a much-loved tourism asset for both visitors and locals.”