Longford Battery Road works to continue “until close to the end of the year”

Delays to the resurfacing project on the Battery Road in Longford Town has been hampered by “unforeseen circumstances” encountered in the course of the work.

Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi raised the issues of the delay on the progress of Longford's Battery Road at the July meeting of Longford Municipal District members.

The Battery Road has been subject to resurfacing works since August of last year. The works are part of the National Sustainable Mobility Policy 'Pathfinder' scheme programme and are fully funded by the National Transport Authority.

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Executive Engineer Brian Faughnan told the meeting the reason for the delay: “Active Travel are carrying out the work at the moment. They have come across a number of unforeseen circumstances, particularly around services through footpaths. This is delaying the work.

“It's envisioned the works will be completed close to the end of the year,” Mr Faughnan said.

The initial costing for the project anticipated that €2.6 million would be spent on rehabilitation works of the Battery Road surface, which stretches from the Retail Park Roundabout for approximately 700 metres ending between St Albans and Longford Garda Station.

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Cathaoirleach Seamus Butler queried if the delay would impact on the cost of the project. Cllr Peggy Nolan drew a parallel to the works on the Ballinalee Road, saying that although it had teething problems when work was under ways it was not “the finest approach road to any town”.

“The public just need to know what is happening, if they know what is going on they can accept it,” said Cllr Nolan.

Mr Faughnan said the local authority will put up details of the progress of the works on the council's website.

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The project also included the installation of traffic lights at the Lisbrack Road junction, the construction of right turning lanes at the entrance to Abbeycartron Lane and the Demesne, installation of new public lighting, as well as the creation of cycle tracks and footpaths on both sides of the road.

Currently, the traffic management for the duration of the project involves a combination of lane narrowing, stop / go systems and temporary traffic lights.

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