€33.1m funding approved for active travel in Fingal

Fingal County Council has welcomed a major investment in active travel that will help improve how people move around the county, with €23.5 million allocated to 49 walking, cycling and public realm projects while a further €9.6 million has been allocated to priority commuter projects. The funding will support safer, more connected routes across Fingal, improving everyday journeys for residents while advancing the Council’s commitments to climate action, public health and sustainable growth.

The new funding was announced as part of €360 million in Government funding for Active Travel and Greenways across Ireland in 2026. This national investment is dedicated to expanding walking and cycling projects that support safe, sustainable and healthy travel options for communities across the country.

Key projects to receive funding in Fingal include the Broadmeadow Estuary Cycle & Pedestrian Bridge (Malahide–Donabate), which has been allocated €12.2 million and the Auburn Avenue to 12th Lock Walking & Cycling Route, which will receive €2.9 million. A further €3 million will progress the Seatown Roundabout to Estuary Road (Swords to Malahide) Scheme. The New Street Malahide Improvement Scheme has been allocated €1 million and €100,000 will support the S2M Extension (Sutton to Malahide).

An additional €9.6m has been allocated to other priority commuter projects including the R132 Junction Upgrades (Design Stage), the countywide Bus Stop Enhancement Programme, and Bus Priority / Traffic Management Improvements.

Welcoming the funding, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary said: ‘’As Fingal’s population continues to grow, our residents will benefit most from better, safer ways of getting around. This investment in safe walking and cycling routes will help deliver sustainable transport options and create streets where people of all ages can walk, wheel or cycle to school, work or the local shop as part of everyday life. It’s important that we make it an easy, pleasurable and safe experience to walk and cycle in Fingal towns and villages. Active travel is great for physical health and overall well-being’’.

Funding has also been allocated for additional Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programmes. Developed by the NTA and Green-Schools An Taisce in 2020, the programme supports schools in increasing walking and cycling by improving safety at school gates and reducing congestion. Six Fingal schools have been included in the recently announced Round 4 of the SRTS programme: Coolmine Community School (Dublin 15), Gaelscoil Ros Eo (Rush), Scoil Moibhi (Skerries), Scoil Oilibhéir (Dublin 15), St. Andrew’s NS (Malahide) and St. Joseph’s Secondary School (Rush).

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “This funding represents a significant step forward in delivering the high-quality active travel infrastructure that Fingal needs to meet the demands of a growing county. It supports the strategic vision of creating safer, more accessible routes that connect our communities and give people reliable alternatives for day-to-day travel.”

David Storey, Director of Services for Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel and Sport at Fingal County Council, added: “This investment will allow us to advance active travel infrastructure right across Fingal, with 49 individual active travel projects set to benefit from this support. We are delivering a diverse range of innovative schemes that will make walking, wheeling and cycling more convenient, inclusive and safe for our communities.”

Active travel is a key part of Fingal County Council’s commitment to climate action. Active travel means travelling with purpose using your own energy such as walking, wheeling or cycling and the Council aims to integrate this into everyday life, particularly for journeys of less than 5 km in distance.

Matthew McAleese, Director of Infrastructure and Transport at Fingal County Council said: ‘’ This allocation gives us the momentum to transform how people move around Fingal. By creating safer, greener and more enjoyable routes, we’re building a transport system that works better for everyone’’.

Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, said: “The allocation of €360 million in 2026 for active travel and greenway projects demonstrates the Government’s commitment to expanding sustainable transport options and delivering safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. The €290 million invested in the NTA’s Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme will assist with the development of key active travel networks in our villages, towns and cities, making walking and cycling a viable option for more of our population. The investment of €62 million in our Greenways network, meanwhile, will help deliver key projects all over the country and is another step towards the development of a National Cycle Network.”

For a full breakdown of the €360 million Active Travel and Greenways funding for 2026, visit: https://www.nationaltransport.ie/publications/active-travel-investment-grants-2026-allocations/