Chamber calls for Tullamore/ Kilbeggan road upgrade
21st July 2017
Myles Shortall, Chairperson of the Infrastructure and Industry Committee of Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce.
GOVERNMENT infrastructural funding should be allocated to provide for a new section of road between Tullamore and Kilbeggan, Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce has stated.
With increased capital expenditure currently being proposed for infrastructural works, the new link road will upgrade the N52 between the M6 south of Kilbeggan and the Tullamore bypass.
The new road will enhance the approach into the town and will greatly improve road safety.
Myles Shortall, a member of the Tullamore Chamber Executive and the current Chairperson of the Infrastructure and Industry Committee, noted that the design has been completed some years ago for the 4.6 kilometre section of road.
According to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), this project is still listed as being in a ‘suspended’ status due to absence of available funding during the economic downturn.
A significant amount of preliminary work has been previously completed for the road link project which would allow this road to proceed to development stage quickly.
“The provision of this road is needed to help improve Tullamore’s link to the M6 which will make the road safer and make the town more accessible.”
The new stretch of road will also take the bulk of the fast moving traffic away from the entrance into Durrow Abbey which will greatly help to facilitate the opening up of the Abbey to more tourism.
“As a world class heritage site, Durrow Abbey is an amazing tourist resource that will be well served with the provision of the new road to relieve the existing traffic pressure at the entrance.
"This new link road will help Durrow Abbey to achieve its tourism potential and make Tullamore a must see stop as part of Ireland’s Ancient East.”
The Chamber Executive have also commended the recent motion discussed by local councillors to highlight the requirement for the funds estimated at €30 million to be made available for this road construction project to commence.
Dervill Dolan raised this matter at a recent Town Council meeting where it found broad support with his fellow town councillors.
The Chamber Executive have also identified the need for the N80 Tullamore to Portlaoise road to be upgraded.
The process of identifying a suitable route needs to be progressed to ensure that this road project can be included in the next tranche of infrastructural expenditure