Major planned roadworks in jeopardy as council announces Active Travel funding cut

Major projects under the Active Travel Scheme are in jeopardy after Louth County Council said it expects a funding cut from the National Transport Authority (NTA). 

David Jones, Director of Services with Louth County Council, told December's monthly council meeting that the NTA have signalled its allocation for the Active Travel Scheme will be in the region of €4 million. 

This represents a cut from €6.5 million in 2025. 

Mr Jones described the reduction of close to 40 per cent as "disappointing news", saying it "unfortunately represents a shortfall", and said it was impacting all local authorities. 

The Active Travel Scheme encourages an active lifestyle through a range of projects aimed at improving infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

It includes road resurfacing, cycle lanes and footpath upgrades.

Councillors expressed concerns that the reduction in funding would impact road conditions, and congestion in the county. 

Independent councillor, Maeve Yore sought a commitment from the council that planned works on the Dublin Road in Dundalk would still proceed in 2026, saying members were advised the works would be delivered under the scheme. 

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, Cllr Yore said the Dublin Road, from the entrance of DkIT to Hill Street Bridge is in a "woeful state". 

She said that there is a necessity for the resurfacing of the road to take place but said it appears it won't happen as a result of the funding cut.

Earlier this month, Louth County Council published plans for developments on the Dublin Road R132, from Xerox to Greengates.

Green Party councillor, Marianne Butler told the meeting that plans for the development of the Inner Relief Road, Dundalk were due to start in January, and asked for an update on the project. 

The Inner Relief Road project is the largest of 15 planned in Louth under the Active Travel Scheme.

Mr Jones told councillors that the any funding cut would impact on which projects would be considered under the scheme. 

There were several concerns raised about congestion across the county and the knock-on effect any delay in the completion of projects would have. 

Labour Councillor and Mayor of Drogheda, Michelle Hall expressed concerns about "gridlock" on the Dublin Road in Drogheda and questioned the impact the allocation cut for Active Travel projects would have on efforts to ease that congestion. 

Calls were also made for the removal of the M1 toll, with both Cllr Hall and Fianna Fáíl councillor, James Byrne saying its removal would help to calm congestion in the town. 

Cllr Byrne called for the council to appeal to the government for its removal. 

He said "it would solve a lot of the traffic problems" in the town.