Councillor wants to see more Active Travel projects in Ballina area

A local councillor has questioned the level of Active Travel funding being spent in the Ballina Municipal District.

Cllr Michael Loftus raised the matter at last week's municipal district meeting when he called for an Active Travel Plan for Crossmolina as soon as possible. Cllr Loftus claimed the majority of Active Travel money is being spent in Castlebar and Westport, adding that although Ballina had received over 30% of the total Active Travel allocation for the county, this still only amounted to four projects at four locations.

Area engineer Orla Bourke said she felt Ballina had received a good allocation that did not put it at a disadvantage while Cllr Annie May Reape said Ballina was the "envy of Castlebar and Westport" at the moment because of the level of investment in the area.

"A lot is spent equally in Ballina, we can't be giving out about our own moneys and our Ministers," she said. "We are doing well in Ballina."

Ms Bourke said a transportation study to encompass Active Travel, public transportation and road and traffic measures in Crossmolina is being undertaken by Mayo County Council and will continue during the first quarter of 2026. She said a draft study will be prepared for non-statutory public consultation and environmental screening and the council's Active Travel section anticipate the study will be completed this year.

There was also an update on the remarking of the pedestrian crossing in Crossmolina. The area engineer confirmed line marking will be carried out in the coming weeks when the line markers are scheduled to be in the Ballina Municipal District.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.