Five transport projects across the Shannonside region will benefit from inclusion in a department initiative to reduce carbon emissions.
In Leitrim a study and pilot trial of a new carpooling system will be carried out.
Under the new programme Leitrim County Council will pilot an employee carpooling scheme among the county's largest employers. The local authority will implement the scheme with its 250 staff members and its understood engagement has already begun with other businesses to encourage participation.
A second pilot has also been granted for Leitrim which aims to integrate the Local Link service, hackney and community e-bike scheme. Further research into demand for services will be completed however its thought the initiative will encourage households to move from two car ownership to one. In Longford three new cycle ways will be created on the approach to the town centre. This is planned for the Battery Road, Major Well's Road the Farneyhoogan roads.
Athlone will also benefit from two projects which includes the transition of the Athlone Town Bus Service to battery electric buses as well as the development of the Athlone Cycle Corridor which will link the technological University with the town Centre. It will also provide an Active Travel route from Baylough on the west side of the town (along the Old Galway Road and Dublin Road to Creggan.
All projects aims to enable locals to make a shift to cleaner transport choices.
