Cork to Receive €58.86 Million for Active Travel and Greenway Projects in 2026

Cork City and County will receive a combined €58.86 million in funding for active travel infrastructure and greenway development in 2026, as part of a record €360 million national investment announced by the Department of Transport.

The funding, announced on 18 January 2026, will support cycling and walking infrastructure, Safe Routes to Schools programmes, and greenway development across both Cork City and Cork County.

Cork City Council has been allocated €36.7 million, whilst Cork County Council will receive €22.16 million. The Cork County allocation comprises €20.285 million for active travel measures and €1.875 million for greenway projects.

Minister Jerry Buttimer, Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for Active and Sustainable Travel, highlighted several major Cork projects receiving funding.

The Lehenaghmore area will receive over €7 million for road improvements designed to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The Carrigaline to Ringaskiddy to Passage West cycle route project has been allocated €1.7 million.

Safe Routes to Schools funding includes €300,000 for Bishopstown Community School and over €200,000 for St Luke's National School in Douglas.

Cork County's greenway allocation will support nine projects across the county, including €200,000 for the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom Greenway, €300,000 for the South Cork Greenway (Cork to Kinsale), and €500,000 for the West Cork Greenway (Cork to Schull).

Senator Eileen Lynch welcomed the allocation for Cork County, particularly highlighting the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom Greenway funding.

"I am delighted that the government has allocated €200,000 to progress the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom Greenway," Senator Lynch said. "This funding will support the development of a safe, accessible greenway that will benefit communities along the route."

Safe Routes to Schools funding for Cork County includes projects at Ballyvongane National School, Scoil Náisiúnta Réidh na nDoirí, and St Joseph's Primary School in Macroom.

The national €360 million allocation represents a significant increase in active travel investment. The funding is divided between the National Transport Authority's €290 million Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme and Transport Infrastructure Ireland's €62 million allocation for greenways and national roads active travel measures. An additional €8 million has been allocated for behavioural change and training programmes.

Cork's allocation places it among the highest-funded regions outside the Greater Dublin Area for active travel infrastructure development in 2026.