Delivering for the Midlands

Date: 23 April 2008

April 23rd, 2008

€182 million in 2008 for road development in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford
Superior trains and enhanced services linking Midlands with major urban centres

Transport 21, the largest investment package ever in Ireland’s transport infrastructure, has already delivered real benefits to the Midlands, and many more significant improvements are on the way.

Under Transport 21, €34 billion is being invested in Ireland’s road, rail, bus, tram, metro and regional air services between 2006 and 2015. Transport 21 is transforming the quality of life of families and commuters, linking communities together, and making it easier to do business rights across Ireland.

Since it was launched two years ago, Transport 21 has invested €4.7 billion in transport networks across Ireland. Almost €3 billion is being invested through Transport 21 in 2008.

Roads

National Roads Authority (NRA) projects in the Midlands will receive overall funding of more than €182 million in 2008. This funding will drive real improvements in road networks in these counties:

Laois: NRA projects in county Laois will receive overall funding of €89m in 2008. Construction has started earlier in the year on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh scheme, which will bypass Borris in Ossory. This scheme forms part of the Major Inter-Urban (MIU) linking Dublin and Limerick. Construction work will continue on the N8 Portlaoise to Cullahill/Castletown project, which forms part of the Dublin to Cork MIU.
Offaly: NRA projects in county Offaly will receive overall funding of €32.7million in 2008. €30m in funding has been allocated to allow work to start on the N52 Tullamore Bypass. This scheme will greatly improve traffic movement through the town. This year’s allocation will also allow planning to proceed on the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan Link.
Westmeath: NRA projects in county Westmeath will receive overall funding of €53.6m in 2008. €40m has been allocated which will enable the completion this year of the N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone scheme. This project forms part of the MIU connecting Galway and Dublin. Funding has also been made available for planning to progress on the N4 The Downs Grade Separated Junction and the N4 Mullingar to Longford/Rooskey projects.
Longford: This year’s allocation will allow planning to proceed on the N5 Longford Bypass. This will accommodate Dublin/Westport traffic, which will no longer have to travel through Longford radically improving traffic movement through the town. The N5 bypass will compliment Longford’s existing N4 bypass, which has removed Dublin/Sligo traffic from the town.

This budget that these counties are receiving this year will also allow for road improvements, maintenance and safety measures to be carried out on national primary and secondary roads.

Rail

The Portlaoise Train Care Depot will provide state-of-the-art maintenance facilities for the 183 new intercity railcars and for some suburban railcars serving the Kildare route. This facility is already in operational use and will be formally opened in May.

In addition, the significant Transport 21 investment in Irish Rail is already bringing a real benefit, with new rolling stock and increased frequency of service on intercity routes – like Dublin/Cork, Dublin/Sligo, Dublin/Galway and Dublin/Westport – which call at Portlaoise, Portarlington, Tullamore, Mullingar, Edgeworthstown and Longford.

New Intercity railcars, funded by Transport 21, were introduced on the Sligo line last year. 2008 has seen a significant increase in frequency of services on the Dublin/Sligo line, up from 5 to 8 per day. Services have also been significantly enhanced on the Dublin/Cork line, with new railcars providing a high level of comfort for those travelling by train from the Midlands to the major urban areas.

At the end of 2008, services on both the Dublin/Westport and Dublin/Galway line will be expanded, so further improvements for the Midland counties are coming down the track.

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Commenting on the Transport 21 investment, Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport, said:

“Transport 21 is delivering for the Midlands. In 2007, the N6 Tyrellspass to Kilbeggan road project was completed, as was the N52 Mullingar to Belvedere. Last year, construction started on the N8/N7 Portlaoise to Cullahill/Castletown road development. These projects are all funded under Transport 21.

“More is on the way. Ambitious road development schemes have started in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford which, when completed, will deliver a real improvement in quality of life for people living and working in the Midlands.

“For train users in the Midlands, Transport 21 funding has already delivered a real improvement in quality and service. Transport 21 is helping to make travel easier for commuters, providing greater links from to the major urban centres, and facilitating business across the Midlands.

“The time for short-term, ‘sticking plaster’ solutions to dealing with transport deficiencies is over. With Transport 21, the Government has taken a long-term view, and over the decade of this programme transport in Ireland will be radically altered.

“When delivered, these improvements will mean a better quality of life, better business and a better future for people in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford.”

Ends