Cullen turns sod for N52 Mullingar-Belvedere road improvement scheme

Date: 06 December 2005

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, T.D. today (Friday, 2nd December 2005) travelled to County Westmeath where he turned the sod for the N52 Mullingar - Belvedere Road improvement project. This project is a continuation of the N52/N4 Bypass already under construction and due to be completed next year; it is 4.2kms of standard single carriageway and is estimated to cost €20 million.

Projects such as this deliver significant benefits in terms of improvements in road safety, the alleviation of traffic congestion and also industry in terms of reduced journey times and greater journey time certainty.

Minister Cullen stated: "The upgrading of the N52 south of Mullingar forms part of the strategic national roads policy to improve the primary and secondary road networks as provided for in Transport 21. It is also in line with the National Spatial Strategy objective of upgrading cross regional link roads. This road improvement coupled with the recent opening of the N4 McNeads Bridge, the impending openings of the M4 Kinnegad/Enfield Bypass, N4 Edgeworthstown Bypass and the N52 Mullingar Bypass will make Mullingar a very accessible place from all directions. These projects will have a very positive impact on all aspects of life not alone in Mullingar but in Westmeath in general be it socially, economically or environmentally."

The Minister spoke of the high level of investment in the national roads network which is being provided under the recently launched Transport 21. "Transport 21 is a first for this country. There has never been a ten-year funding plan for capital investment in transport infrastructure. The decision to provide funding over such a lengthy period is a clear recognition on the part of the Government that strong and effective transport links are vital to the success of Ireland. We are seeking to redress serious past under-investment while at the same time coping with phenomenal growth in traffic resulting from our recent and continuing exceptional economic performance."

A key feature of Transport 21, Minister Cullen said, is the fact that it has been specifically developed to support the Government's National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020, which seeks to promote more balanced regional development.

Minister Cullen acknowledged the contribution of all involved in getting the Mullingar Belvedere project including Westmeath County Council, the National Roads Authority, the land owners and others who have cooperated in getting the project to this stage, and PT McWilliams Ltd who have been successful in securing the contract.

Mr. Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority said: "A high quality network of national roads linking regional towns will help breathe new life into rural towns and villages, as well as ensuring that country life remains a viable option. The National Roads Authority fully recognises this and the N52 Mullingar/Belvedere scheme is a good example of the Authority's commitment to balanced regional development. When complete it will form an important extension of the N52 Mullingar Bypass, which will be finished next year.

The N52 has been identified in the recently launched Transport 21 Plan as an important link from Dundalk on the east coast to Nenagh in the South Midlands. In the last 3 years the Authority has provided €150m on improving road pavement and widening schemes on the national secondary network, which has resulted in the improvement of over 100km of regional roads per year.

Further information: Veronica Scanlan at 087 6430622