New Longford Town cycle network to safely link workplaces, schools and amenities
Battery Road and Ballinalee Road: Improved cycle lanes, paths, junctions and surfaces
Press Release: 16 October 2023
Longford County Council is delighted to confirm the next two phases of the Pathfinder Project for Active Travel in Longford Town are well underway on the key routes of the Ballinalee Road and the Battery Road.
The overall Pathfinder Project involves the development of a core cycle network, with improved footpaths, road surfaces and junctions, along three of Longford town’s approach roads:
- Battery Road (R198)
- Ballinalee / Major Well’s Road (N63)
- Athlone Road (N63)
The works form part of the National Sustainable Mobility Policy ‘Pathfinder’ scheme programme and are fully funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and delivered by its Active Travel section.
Work on the Battery Road and the Ballinalee Road, kicked off in August with NRS Group (Noel Regan & Sons Plant Hire Limited) and Priority Construction Limited operating on behalf of Longford County Council for each of the projects respectively. The projects are currently estimated to be completed in 2024.
Significant communication campaigns were carried out by both the Longford County Council Active Travel Team and the contractors involved, in advance of works getting underway, with hundreds of letters and maps delivered to residents in the relevant areas to advise them of the upcoming works.
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Colm Murray welcomed progress on the works, “These projects will prove to be of huge benefit to the users of the Battery and Ballinalee roads, improving road safety and linking the most important and vibrant areas of our community, where we work, shop, play and learn.”
Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon added, “The schemes will also help Longford meet its commitment under Ireland’s targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.”
R198 Battery Road
The works zone for the €2.6 million Battery Road project stretches from the Retail Park Roundabout for approximately 700 metres ending between St Albans and Longford Garda Station.
In addition to the rehabilitation of the Battery Road surface, the project will also include the installation of a traffic lights at the Lisbrack Road junction; the construction of right turning lanes at the entrance to Abbeycarton Lane and the Demesne; the realignment of the Battery Road to include cycle tracks and continuous footpaths on both sides of the road, the construction of pedestrian crossing points at various locations, the undergrounding of overhead power lines, and installation of new public lighting.
The traffic management for the duration of the project will involve a combination of lane narrowing, stop / go systems and temporary traffic lights as required.
N63 Ballinalee Road
The €1.75 million N63 Ballinalee Road project includes the continuation of the cycle and pedestrian works completed earlier this year on the Major’s Well Road. The zone starts from the Templemichael Terrace junction with the N63 out to the roundabout on the N4.
The scheme will include new cycle tracks on either side of the road from the Ard Michael Estate as far as the entrance to The Laurels Estate, while a new footpath will be installed on the northern side of the road. Existing footpaths will remain in place on the other side, with some enhancements required on the grass verge side. Junctions along the road will also be made safer and more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, with a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing being included at the N4 end.
With a significant portion of the works on the Ballinalee Road taking place in the road verge, limited impact on traffic is expected during the works, but there will be traffic management required while certain elements of the junction building, crossing and ducting works are underway.
Overall, these projects will improve road safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, in particular by reducing uncertainties around crossing points and junctions.
While every effort will be made to reduce the impact of the works across both of these locations on the local community, businesses and the school population, it is inevitable that there will be some disruption.
Longford County Council wishes to apologise for any inconvenience caused and to thank you for your co-operation.
For further information, check out Longfordcoco.ie or follow Longford County Council on social media.
