Council is keen to tackle delays in Active Travel projects

A lag in the delivery of Active Travel projects in Mayo has been acknowledged by management at the local authority.

Mayo County Council's Director of Services David Mellett told last week's council meeting that what was originally a simple scheme to improve footpaths and pedestrian safety has since developed into a much more complex programme, consequently lengthening the amount of time and effort needed to finalise each approved scheme.

In a presentation to councillors, Mr Mellett stated: “In early 2021, the Active Travel programme was straightforward, concentrating on isolated and quick projects around refurbishment of existing footpaths and that did not require extensive design. In the middle of 2022, the focus changed to more strategic and complex National Transport Authority (NTA) projects and that led to a lag in delivery as each project had to go through all options right through to construction.

“The NTA then also asked us to carry out the Safe Routes to School programme, so that involved substantial work. We did look for additional resources and have been provided some, as Mayo would have more schools than many other local authorities.” 

In relation to concerns raised by members over delays in delivering approved Active Travel projects, Mr Mellett said progress is being made and “a lot are now at or close to construction phase". He outlined that the various phases from feasibility studies to design and construction typically take 18 to 24 months and that while funding of €5 million was provided following the expansion of work in 2022, an average €3 million in funding is provided for Active Travel schemes in Mayo annually.

Mr Mellett noted that 16 kilometres of Active Travel work had been completed between 2021 and 2025 and said that while this might not seem like a lot, the work often involved making existing junctions safer while adding 100 or 200 metres of safe laneways, which made a huge difference to an area.

He said there are 37 Active Travel projects all being progressed on the 2026 programme, all close to construction phase, and said background work on local transport plans will mean the stop-start work approach will no longer happen as the team will always have projects shovel-ready. Schemes included for 2026 include Westport Deerpark, Ballinrobe urban area, Carne, Scoil Iosa National and Brackloon National Schools. However, while a more active delivery phase is underway with a pipeline of projects shovel-ready, he cautioned that funding may be the issue around any further delays.

The Director of Services added that the NTA programme is just one element of how the council is delivering Active Travel programmes as other sections were being delivered through Transport Infrastructure Ireland projects, such as along the N60 at Breaffy and along the N5 Westport dual carriageway, while other smaller scale pedestrian crossings and footpaths are being provided through the municipal district offices. He said greenway projects can also support active travel, with over 11km of such work incorporated along the Great Western Greenway in West Mayo to date.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.