Hopes high that former power station site can become major jobs hub for Longford

A few months ago, Ciaran Mullooly, our local MEP, invited a number of people to a meeting to see if there were any ideas for the community following the closure of the Lough Ree Power Station and the consequently the degeneration of the workforce on Bord na Móna. 

The meeting threw up a good number of ideas that could lead to the area once again being the major job hub not just for Lanesboro and Ballyleague but also for the counties of Longford and Roscommon.

As a result of the meeting MEP Mullooly has met and had discussions with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) who have a large vacant site adjoining the power station and he also met last week with power stations site owners ESB.

Also read: Trumps tariffs leave Longford companies counting the costs

MEP Mullooly took the ideas put forward at the original meeting to the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone and other experts to scrutinise, determine the quality and rate the viability of the proposals. 

A result of this scoping is imminent and MEP Mullooly is very confident that a number of the ideas will prove to be viable.

He will be meeting with the Government in the coming days where he will be seeking the retention of the Power Station for alternative use in the creation of many new jobs.

Also read: Calls for HSE inquiry into Longford Care Centre following 'damning' report

While MEP Mullooly’s Midlands-North-West constituency is enormous, consisting of fifteen counties, it is wonderful to see that his own home community is ranking highly as a priority towards regeneration and development of new and worthwhile projects.

We look forward to hearing from MEP Mullooly the outcome of the scope and look forward to seeing some of the proposals go forward for major consideration and potential development.

Also read: Dalton is delighted to be returned to Longford County Council