€5 million funding for Edenderry to Enfield road
The long-awaited upgrade of the Edenderry to Enfield road R402, which connects to the M4, looks set to go ahead, pending approval from An Bord Pleanala, as this week funding of €5 million was announced to purchase land for the project. A total of €11.35 million was announced under the Regional and Local Roads Programme 2009 for county Offaly altogether. A total of €960,000 was allocated to the construction of the Edenderry Inner Relief Road, which is currently at planning stage. Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he believed that this significant investment in the current climate demonstrates clearly the Government"s continued commitment to upgrade the regional and local road infrastructure in the county. The funding is being provided under the Transport 21 Programme and the National Development Plan (NDP). 'I am delighted to see such a significant investment in our roads infrastructure with the highest grants being provided for the Edenderry Inner Relief Road,' said Mr Cowen. Cllr Noel Bourke said he was delighted with the €5 million allocation for the upgrade of the Edenderry road R402 and also the €960,00 to complete the inner relief road in Edenderry itself. '(The €5 million) will enable a sizeable portion of the road to be upgraded this year and is a milestone in the campaign which has taken place to have this road improved, thereby giving quicker and easier access between Edenderry and the M4 at Enfield,' said Cllr Bourke. 'This €5 million will be spent on purchasing land once An Bord Pleanala give its decision next week,' said Cllr John Quinlan. He said the money is ring-fenced for the project and will be spent on the road. A decision is expected from An Bord Pleanala next Wednesday, February 11. Cllr Noel Cribbin also welcomed the allocation for the Edenderry to Enfield road and the €960,000 for the town"s inner relief road. He said that the planning permission for the relief road was still with Offaly County Council and it should be all systems go later this year, as long as there are no delays due to objections.