Mixed views on Kildare's €10m from NTA

KILDARE has been earmarked for €10m in funding to support active travel across the county for 2025 - from a national fund of €294m - however, local politicians have very different views on the allocations.

Outgoing Minister of State, and TD for Kildare South Martin Heydon has welcomed the money for the 23 projects, but cllr Chris Pender criticised the allocations, noting three projects alone are getting over two-thirds (€6.8m) of the total Kildare share.

“The Royal Canal Greenway from Maynooth to Leixlip is getting €3m, the Mill Street and Craddockstown Active Travel Schemes in Naas will receive €2.5m and €1.3m respectively,” he noted.

"These figures are outrageous. Newbridge is one of the largest towns in Kildare, yet it continues to be treated as an afterthought when it comes to infrastructure investment."

This isn’t just an oversight; it’s a systemic issue. Residents, commuters, and families in Newbridge are being let down time and time again, and this funding allocation is a slap in the face for our community."

A total of 23 projects across the county will receive funding including six ‘Safe Route to School’ (SRTS) programmes for schools in Newbridge, Kilkea, Clane, Prosperous, Straffan and Celbridge.

Another €200,000 has also being earmarked for work on an active travel scheme for Monasterevin, while amounts of €35,000 and €40,000 are allocated for active travel in Newbridge, including Station Road.

Minister Heydon lauded the funding announcement.

He said: “Active travel schemes bring significant benefits to local areas helping to connect communities and improve people’s quality of life.

“By investing in walkways and cycleways we create safe corridors for people to visit friends and family and get to local shops, schools, and amenities.

“The outgoing Government committed to furthering investment in active travel, and in previous years we have seen all of the money allocated to local authorities drawn down and I am confident Kildare County Council will do the same this year.

“The Active Travel projects that will be funded include the development of segregated cycle lanes and widened footpaths, new walking and cycling bridges, and new pedestrian crossings, ensuring it is easier but also safer to cycle and walk within our communities."

However, cllr Pender has criticised the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Kildare County Council for “their continued failure to provide adequate funding for Active Travel projects in Newbridge”.

“The 2025 allocations highlight the chronic underinvestment in the town’s infrastructure, with Newbridge receiving just €140,000, a mere 1.4% of the county's overall €10m Active Travel budget," he said.

These are the €100,000 for the SRTS project at Patrician Primary/St Conleth’s, and the €40,000 for the Station Road Scheme.

Cllr Pender said: “The €40,000 allocated to the Station Road Scheme is insufficient to ensure safety and accessibility, and while the €100,000 for Safe Routes to School is welcome, it falls far short of what is required to create meaningful change for schoolchildren.

“The imbalance in funding is stark, as towns like Naas continue to benefit from significant investment, leaving Newbridge lagging behind.

"The disparity in funding between towns is shocking. The Royal Canal Greenway alone is receiving €3 million — over 20 times what Newbridge has been allocated."