Longford regeneration project being ‘redesigned’

A plan put out to tender over a year ago to link the town centre with the Royal Canal greenway is currently being “redesigned”. The Canal Gateway project was raised at the January meeting of the local authority by Cllr Gerry Warnock (Ind).

Cllr Warnock asked for an update on the regeneration project. “I refer specifically to the Canal Gateway project to the rear of the Market Square in Longford,” he said, “At the last regeneration committee meeting of 2022 we were given assurances that this was a priority project for Longford town. Is this project on track? We don't want to run into a situation like we did with Longford Connected.”

Complaints about the pace of the Longford Connected Public Realm Enhancement Project (LCPREP) have been raised at municipal district and county council level.
LCPREP focused on enhancements to the public realm at Market Square and The Shopping Centre as these form focal points within Longford Town.

That project is to enhance the pedestrian experience with new and improved surface treatments, more efficient lighting and signage, new street furniture and soft landscape installations.
The Canal Gateway project was flagged as a key regeneration project. In December 2021, Longford County Council opened tenders for the new pedestrian route linking the end of the Royal Canal greenway walk to the centre of the town. The route would follow the original path of the now filled in segment of the canal, travelling under the Irish Rail underpass and terminating at Harbour Square.

Replying to Cllr Warnock's question Director of Services for Planning, Regeneration and Capital Projects, John Brannigan, responded, “In respect of Cllr Warnocks request we are still sourcing funding for the projects. The plans are being redesigned at the moment and we will contact the councillor when completed.”