€11.3 million boost for Mayo’s greenways and safer travel routes

MAYO is set for a major investment in walking, cycling and greenway infrastructure, with more than €11.3 million allocated to projects across the county.

The funding, confirmed by Minister of State Alan Dillon, will support everything from school safety upgrades to major greenway developments connecting towns, villages and coastal routes.

The package combines €7.78 million from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and €3.54 million from the National Transport Authority (NTA), representing one of the largest single year allocations Mayo has received for active travel.

Local communities, tourism operators, schools and sports clubs are all expected to benefit from the programme, which aims to make every day journeys safer while strengthening Mayo’s already strong reputation as a destination for outdoor activity.

Speaking about the investment today, Minister Dillon said it reflects confidence in the county’s ability to deliver high quality, well used projects.

“This is a strong vote of confidence in Mayo’s communities, our towns and villages, and the teams working hard to deliver better walking, cycling and greenway infrastructure. These improvements will make it easier and safer for people to move around locally, whether that’s travelling to school, getting to work, or enjoying our greenways from Westport to Ballina and Achill to Killala.”

He said the scale of investment will also accelerate major projects that have been in development over recent years: “Funding at this level guarantees real progress on the Blacksod Bay Greenway, the Great Western Greenway enhancements, and active travel upgrades on the N60 Castlebar to Breaffy and N59 Newport to Derrada. These are not just transport projects, they support tourism, local business and healthy recreation for families, older people and visitors.”

Minister Dillon also paid tribute to the work happening behind the scenes at Mayo County Council. “The active travel, outdoor recreation and greenways teams deserve huge credit. Their professionalism and ambition are central to securing funding of this scale. I look forward to continuing to work with them as these projects move from plans to construction on the ground,” he said.

BREAKDOWN OF MAYO’S 2026 ALLOCATION

TII GREENWAYS AND NATIONAL ROADS ACTIVE TRAVEL (€7,785,000)

National roads upgrades

• N60 Castlebar to Breaffy – €3,120,000

Significant active travel works along one of the busiest commuter routes into Castlebar.

• N59 Newport to Derrada – €1,400,000

Safer walking and cycling facilities and alignment upgrades approaching Newport.

Greenway projects

• Blacksod Bay Greenway – €1,900,000

Major investment in a flagship coastal greenway in Erris.

• Great Western Greenway, Newport section – €600,000

Capacity and safety works through the town section.

• Great Western Greenway, Westport section – €300,000

Upgrades to tie the national greenway into local routes and approaches.

• Belclare to Murrisk – €100,000

Enhancements to the Clew Bay greenway route.

• Achill Sound to Bannacurry – €65,000

Extensions and upgrades to Achill’s growing network of greenway links.

Engineering support

• €300,000 to assist Mayo County Council in managing and delivering greenway and active travel projects.

NTA ACTIVE TRAVEL INVESTMENT (€3,540,000)

Countywide active travel projects (€3,000,000)

• Active Travel Team – €400,000

• Ballinrobe orbital greenway – €239,000

• Westport Deerpark project – €225,000

• Castlebar Brooklands permeability link – €45,000

• Killala town active travel improvements – €35,000

• Castlebar–Turlough Road footpath – €15,000

• Ballina Creggs Road footpath to St. Oliver Plunkett NS – €11,000

• Castlebar R373 finishing works – €5,000

• Westport train station connecting path – €5,000

Safe Routes to School

Round 1 (construction):

Carn NS (€415k), Scoil Íosa (€345k), Cong NS (€320k), Brackloon NS (€250k), Davitt College (€20k), Scoil Raifteirí (€20k), St. Colman’s College (€50k).

Round 2 (design):

Ballinrobe CS, Claremorris BNS, Holy Trinity NS, Westport, Murrisk NS, Quay NS, Westport, St. Joseph’s NS (all €20k).

Round 3 (priority safety works – €23,750 each):

Ballyvary NS (Ballyvary, Castlebar), Behy NS (Behymore, Ballina), Derrywash NS (Derrywash, Castlebar), S.N. Lainnín Cille (Lankill, Westport), Cearthrú Thaidhg NS (Ceathrú Thaidhg / Carrowteige, north Mayo), Shraigh NS (Shraigh/Bunnahowen, Ballina), Scoil Peadar & Pól (Straide, Foxford) and St Peter’s NS (Snugboro, Castlebar).

Round 4 (design initiation – €5,000 each):

Castlebar Educate Together NS, Castlebar Primary School (Junior & Senior).

Supporting infrastructure

• Bus stop upgrades – €500,000

Improvements across the county to passenger facilities and stop accessibility.

• Local Transport Plans – €40,000

Planning support for Ballyhaunis, Crossmolina, Balla and Belmullet.

Minister Dillon added: “For many local families, schools and businesses, this year’s funding package means progress on long sought safety and connectivity projects. Parents in towns such as Ballina, Castlebar and Claremorris will see new crossings, lower speed zones and safer access routes to schools. Rural communities will see improved links to services, sports clubs and bus routes. And along the coast, the continued roll out of greenways will bring more visitors, more spending and more opportunities for local businesses.”

The scale of the investment, Minister Dillon said, matches the scale of Mayo’s ambition: “Mayo has shown time and again that when we receive funding, we deliver. This package ensures that 2026 will be a year of real, visible progress for communities right across the county.”