Five kilometres of new/upgraded walking and cycling infrastructure for Longford by 2027

Longford County Council has outlined 7 key actions - including the rolling out of five kilometres of new or upgraded walking and cycling infrastructure - which it intends to deliver as part of its adoption of the Road Safety Action Plan 2025-2027.

The plan, which represents Longford's contribution to Ireland's mission of achieving zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050, sets out concrete measures the council will implement in a bid to help reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030. 

According to the council, the key actions for Longford include: 

• Five kilometres of new or upgraded segregated walking and cycling infrastructure
• Improvements to ten junctions or crossings to facilitate active travel
• Ten upgraded bus stops with safe crossings across the county
• Five additional Safe Routes to School treatments
• Two minor safety improvement schemes on National Roads annually
• Extension of 30km/h speed limit zones in urban and built-up areas
• Periodic speed limits at schools on non-national roads

Longford County Council has also pledged continued investment in road maintenance programmes, low-cost safety schemes, traffic calming measures, safety barriers, and junction improvements across the county's regional and local roads.

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The strategy addresses all aspects of road safety through the internationally recognised Safe System approach, focusing on seven key areas: safe and healthy modes of travel, safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe road use, safe work-related road use, and post-crash response.

Speaking about the adoption of the plan, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, "The national statistics in relation to road traffic accidents and fatalities paint a stark picture - these numbers represent not merely data points, but shattered families and communities torn apart. On behalf of Longford County Council's elected members, I pledge our unwavering commitment to this plan's implementation. County Longford stands ready to confront one of Ireland's most pressing challenges."

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Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon also added, "Road safety has moved beyond being simply a priority - it has become an urgent imperative that demands immediate and sustained action. Our ongoing investments in road improvements, footpath upgrades, and cycling infrastructure represent more than capital expenditure - they constitute a direct investment in human life and community wellbeing. Implementation begins now."

Progress reports will be presented to Longford County Councillors on an annual basis. 

The full Road Safety Action Plan 2025-2027 is available for public viewing on the Longford County Council website.

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