€250,000 secured for emergency road improvement works on N52 near Birr

A €250,000 emergency road improvement scheme has been approved for a section of the N52 at Woodfield on the northern approach to Birr, Offaly County Council has confirmed.

The local authority has identified the route as a priority location under its Emergency Pavement Asset Renewal and Restoration (EPARR) programme for 2026, with resurfacing works planned along approximately 700 metres of the national road.

Initial approval has been received from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to proceed to the tender stage of the project. Tender documentation is currently being finalised, with invitations to contractors expected to issue later this month.

Subject to receiving TII Gateway 2 approval, construction works are expected to commence in late July.

Offaly County Council said the investment will "improve the condition of the road surface, enhance road user safety, and maintain the standard of this important national route."