NTA defends funding for Nash's Boreen scheme on Cork's northside

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responded to criticism of its recent funding allocation toward the development of a northside amenity, saying it has already granted approximately €200,000 to the scheme.

As part of its January 2025 funding allocation, the NTA awarded €28m to Cork City Council under the NTA Active Travel Investment Grants Scheme.

On top of the €28m, the city council was also allocated €6,535,000 in other NTA funding streams, bringing the total amount allocated to the city this year to €34,535,000.

Part of the NTA 2025 funding for Cork city was an allocation of €50,000 for the Nash’s Boreen Active Travel Scheme, which, when completed, would see the route closed to general vehicular traffic and enhanced for pedestrians and cyclists.

The €50,000 allocation was criticised by Kenneth Collins, Sinn Féin councillor for the city’s North West ward, who said the amount granted was too low, describing it as “a drop in the ocean”.

Mr Collins said the allocation of €50,000 “is probably only going to cover the consultation fees … but the community won’t see anything of that €50,000”.

However, an NTA spokesperson has responded to that criticism, saying the latest allocation brings the amount it has granted to the Nash’s Boreen scheme to approximately €200,000.

“The National Transport Authority has, to date, provided approximately €150,000 in funding for design work for the Nash’s Boreen scheme, and a further allocation of €50,000 in 2025 is to complete the design process ahead of it progressing to the planning stage,” the NTA spokesperson said.

“As the majority of active travel projects are developed over a number of years, the overall cost for the project differs from any single-year allocation.

“Accordingly, the yearly allocations do not represent total project cost or total project funding.”

The NTA spokesperson added that the Nash’s Boreen Active Travel Scheme was being designed by Cork City Council and said it was “anticipated it will progress to the planning stage later in 2025”.