Over €1m is to be spent improving Westport's walking and cycling tracks over the next three years, the Transport Minister has said.

Noel Dempsey approved the funds for Westport Town Council to develop a new link between Westport Quay and Knockranny.

He said the project will be largely based on an existing network of disused railway lines and create new cycling and walking links between Westport’s urban areas, residential areas and schools.

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The overall cost of the scheme is €1.04m, with €620,000 being provided by the Department of Transport, and Westport Town Council funding the remaining €420,000.

Minister Dempsey said the project has "huge potential".

"It not only involves the construction of 3.5km of greenway but it includes the provision of stands and shelters to cater for 2,000 bikes by 2012."

This new project has a catchment area of over 3,000 people, and is in a town that attracts around 950,000 visitors annually, so it really can make a difference.”

It is anticipated works will commence immediately and that the infrastructural work will be completed by July 2010.

The development of off-road cycle and walking routes is identified in the Department of Transport's National Cycle Policy Framework as one of the necessary steps to establishing a "culture of cycling in Ireland".

(PR/KMcA)