Positive update on active travel projects in Mayo
A PIPELINE of active travel projects in Mayo will be coming through in the near future.
Thirty-seven projects are being progressed, many of them under the Safer Routes to School Scheme, and they are getting close to construction.
More projects will be coming to design through the local transport plans for the larger urban areas, while the active travel team is also looking at plans for smaller towns and villages.
The active travel budget for Mayo is around €3 million this year, members of Mayo County Council were told in an update from newly appointed director of services David Mellett.
Projects typically taking 18 to 24 months to reach construction stage. From 2021 to '25, just over 16 kilometres of active travel infrastructure was delivered in Mayo.
In urban areas, where projects can be complex, a 100m-150m project can make a substantial difference, be it junction tightening or pedestrian crossings, which don't carry a kilometre metric, he highlighted.
There was a lag in spend for a time, resulting from the various phases required, but there are a lot of projects now moving to the construction phase.
Going into 2026, 37 projects are being progressed, a lot through Safe Routes to School, and they are getting close to the construction phase. And the next ones coming through the local transport plans will then progress through design.
Five major projects starting on the ground this year will deliver just over seven kilometres of active travel - Deerpark, Westport, Ballinrobe urban greenway, and three Safe Routes to Schools.
The NTA elements above are just one element of active travel delivery, with others through TII, including the N60, which is at construction, and N59 Derrada greenway upgrade, for example. And the municipal districts are rolling out smaller interventions, such as crossings and footpath improvements. Active travel is also tied in with road projects, such as the recently signed R332 contract which includes shared pedestrian and cycling facilities.
Mr. Mellett acknowledged members concerns around pace of delivery of NTA projects, but they were now entering that more active delivery phase, with a strong pipeline of projects construction ready.
Councillor Peter Flynn said he had asked for the update due to the slow pace of delivery, with frustration at TDs announcing funding every year but nothing being delivered.
In 2023, €3 million was allocated but the spend was €1.7m, with most of that going on internal costs. In another year, €4.5m was allocated, with €1.2m spent, and €800,000 of that related to internal costs.
A message needed to go back to the NTA about the process of involving consultants at each phase, which needs to be eliminated, he added. “We need to trust in our own people to allow procurement move on.”
Having two or three different consultants involved in a small project 'makes no sense'.
Councillor Damien Ryan was concerned that the smaller towns and villages would not be left behind and a list of priorities should be drawn up so they aren't left behind.
* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme