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\nThe CEO of the NTA said continued investment in active travel has knock-on benefits for businesses<\/p>\n
Every euro invested in active travel produces almost \u20ac4 in economic benefits, according to a report commissioned by the National Transport Authority.<\/p>\n
It said the benefits include improved health and lower absenteeism rates, more tourism, reduced congestion and thousands of jobs created.<\/p>\n
The present value of money to be invested in walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure from 2021-2030 is \u20ac1.97bn and the present value of the benefits it will generate is \u20ac7.73bn, the report said.<\/p>\n
Those returns come both directly in the form of jobs created, 26,640 during the construction phase of infrastructure, and indirectly through benefits to the wider economy.<\/p>\n
The report by Turley Planning Ireland and Arup said commuters benefit by saving money when they can walk, wheel or cycle instead of driving.<\/p>\n
Reduced congestion and cleaner air in larger towns and cities also benefits everyone, not just active travel users, the report said.<\/p>\n
It added that reduced travel times for commuters also brings economic benefits.<\/p>\n
Increasing the number of people using active travel reduces mortality and workplace absenteeism and saves money in healthcare costs, according to the report.<\/p>\n
There are also benefits for people’s mental health through exercise and more pleasant public spaces.<\/p>\n
The report estimated that the cost of one year’s investment is fully recovered by the sixth year of the infrastructure being operational.<\/p>\n
\nThe CEO of the NTA said continued investment in active travel has knock-on benefits for businesses<\/p>\n
Minister for Transport Darragh O\u2019Brien said the report shows the positive financial impact of the significant increase in Government funding for walking and cycling since the start of this decade.<\/p>\n
“Choosing active transport modes over private car journeys results in savings for commuters as well as creating and maintaining jobs across various sectors around the country,” he said.<\/p>\n
CEO of the National Transport Authority Anne Shaw said the report is yet further confirmation that the work the NTA is doing with local authorities is “having a real benefit, not just for the people who are using our enhanced active travel networks, but for the wider economy too”.<\/p>\n
“From job creation to the knock-on positive effects for other businesses, there are many reasons why continued investment in this area is good for all of us,” she said.<\/p>\n
The report outlined how the National Transport Authority, from 2021 to 2025, delivered almost 950 kilometres in active travel infrastructure, along with bridges, junction upgrades, school zones and other non-route investments.<\/p>\n
It said investment of \u20ac290m per year is planned for each year up to and including 2030.<\/p>\n
However, it said the real value of that investment is falling as costs rise with construction inflation.<\/p>\n
It said there will be an inflation gap of \u20ac330m and that sustained investment in active travel infrastructure is required if the full benefits are to be realised.<\/p>\n