Offaly TD welcomes €300,000 funding for Tullamore-Kilbeggan link road

Offaly Fine Gael TD, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy has welcomed funding of €300,000 towards the progression of the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan link road.

“I am really pleased to have secured confirmation from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD that Offaly County Council has been allocated €300,000 to progress the planning and design work on the project. This time last year, the Council was approved €25,000 to carry out pre-appraisal plans and the latest allocation is a positive endorsement of this project," she said.

“This link road project has been in the pipeline for many years and a lot of planning and design work was completed and a preferred route was identified. Unfortunately, the project became a victim of the economic crash and no progress was made."

"As the local Government TD, I have prioritised the delivery of this much-needed infrastructure project and following my invitation, Minister Ross travelled to Durrow in October 2017 to see for himself the need to progress the link road."

“Further progress was made in February last year when the Government’s National Development Plan, Project 2040 contained a specific commitment to the delivery of the N52 link road. Tullamore as the capital town needs the link to the Galway-Dublin motorway as it will greatly enhance Offaly’s ability to develop in the years ahead. This N52 road is a major North/South link and the planned addition of this carriageway will greatly improve the road network for the entire region."

“My understanding is that due to the period of time that has lapsed since the initial planning and design work was completed, the project is starting from scratch again."

"I am anxious to see that the planning and design stage is completed as soon as possible and I very much welcome confirmation from Offaly County Council, the lead agency for this project, that the National Road Design Office is actively working on this project," Marcella concluded.