Galway City Councils proposed Clifden Railway Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge is to be brought through to the planning stage after alternative funding has been secured. The proposed bridge is to use the abutments of the former Clifden Railway Bridge, creating a more direct walking and cycling link across the River Corrib between the University of Galway and the Dyke Road area on the city centre side of the river.The National Transport Authoritys decision last year to withdraw its funding commitment for the bridge at this time prompted the council to seek funding from the Governments Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). It has now secured that funding, according to a local councillor.Cllr Eddie Hoare (Fine Gael) said: Today we received a very positive update from Galway City Council on this project. Galway City Council have successfully agreed with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to progress this project under URDF funding.The URDF funding has a stated aim of delivering more compact and sustainable development, and is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This differs from the NTA funding, which is administered by the authority on behalf of the Department of Transport.The project will now be progressed through the design stage and brought to pre planning stage over the coming months, said Cllr Hoare.He added: This is a project I have consistently supported and promoted, and Im delighted to see that it will now progress despite concerns of the future of the project when the NTA withdrew funding.While the bridge will allow for many local trips, it is also planned to eventually form part of the citys starting point of the proposed Connemara Greenway, which is to stretch 76km between Galway City and Clifden.