Local politicians welcome €11.35 million for Offaly roads

A total of €11,351,699 has been allocated to regional and local roads in Offaly for this year. Tullamore Town Council will receive €287,000 for work within its environs, while Birr Town Council is set to receive another €287,000. The big winner is the Enfield to Edenderry R402 project, as €5 million will be spent on the development. Taoiseach Brian Cowen welcomed the allocation of €11.35 million under the Regional and Local Roads Programme 2009. The Taoiseach 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 and Phase 2 of the New Link Road in Banagher. Other projects to benefit include the Clara Relief Road, the new link road at Chancery Lane in Tullamore along with the Cloneygowan By-Pass. In addition, significant funding is being made available for regional road signposting, restoration and maintenance works and local improvement schemes in the county,' said Mr Cowen. 'It is important that even in these challenging economic times we continue the substantial investment in our roads infrastructure as they are strategically important, particularly from an economic point of view role. I now look forward to early progress being made by the local authority on the works to be funded this year.' Fine Gael Deputy Olwyn Enright has welcomed the allocation of half a million euro for works on the bridge over the Brosna river in Ferbane. 'This is a welcome development for the town, which has been in the pipe line for the last number of years. I have been in touch with Offaly County Council, who told me that the works will see the improvement of the bridge for pedestrians. I will keep in touch with the Council to ensure that the work on the bridge goes ahead at the earliest possible opportunity,' said Deputy Enright. She added that the work on the bridge will allow pedestrians and road users alike to proceed with safety and will address current concerns. Birr-based county councillor Tony McLoughlin welcomed the €165,000 funding for Seffin junction.