Minister Sean Canney opens Longford's groundbreaking €3.5m Battery Road Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme
New infrastructure connects town centre to N4 corridor with innovative design features
Press Release: Wednesday, 17 June 2025
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney officially opened Longford's transformative Battery Road Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme on Tuesday, 17 June making the completion of the third phase in the county's ambitious Pathfinder project.
The €3.5 million scheme delivers 1.3km of dedicated cycling infrastructure along the R198 Battery Road, featuring Ireland's first coloured cast-in-situ separator kerb and comprehensive traffic calming measures. The project connects Longford town centre to the N4 Axis Centre via a 700-metre stretch from McDonald's Roundabout to St Alban's entrance. The Pathfinder Programme is focused on reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector, by enabling the shift to cleaner transport choices.
Minister Canney praised the council's leadership in active travel provision during the opening ceremony, which involved local school pupils saying, "Through this project, Longford County Council is demonstrating what can be achieved when there is ambition and a determination to deliver. Capturing the true spirit of the Pathfinder Programme, this project showcases how a network of safe cycle routes can provide people with a feasible and healthy transport alternative, especially for short journeys. Today's section represents another important step towards developing the town network. When completed, this network will be an exemplar for others, with learnings that can be replicated through other projects in the county and beyond. Longford County Council must be commended on their vision for the town, and the 'can-do' approach to delivery of this Pathfinder project."
Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon emphasised the project's strategic importance saying, "This scheme represents more than infrastructure - it's a blueprint for sustainable transport across rural Ireland. Battery Road demonstrates our unwavering commitment to providing residents with genuine alternatives to car dependency. The completion of three out of four Pathfinder sub-projects positions Longford as a national leader in active travel delivery, with over €8 million invested in our core cycle network."
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Mark Casey focused on the community wellness aspects saying, "The health dividends for our residents, particularly families in Clonbalt Woods, White Linen Woods, Abbeycartron, Lisbrack and Demesne estates, cannot be overstated. Children attending St John's National School now have safe, protected routes that encourage daily physical activity. This infrastructure doesn't just move people - it builds healthier communities and gives parents peace of mind."
Innovating Design Features
The scheme incorporates several pioneering elements:
- Ireland's first coloured separator kerb system
- Construction of 1.3km of new 2-metre-wide red macadam cycle tracks
- Junction priority crossings at key residential entrances
- New signal-controlled junction at Lisbrack
- Construction of a right turning lanes at the entrances to Abbeycartron and Demense
- Construction of pedestrian crossing points at various locations along the R198 Battery Road
- Comprehensive streetscape improvements including underground ESB networks
- Enhanced public lighting and landscaping
- Traffic calming effect through narrowing of the carriageway and re apportioning street space to vulnerable road users
Pathfinder Programme Progress
Longford's core cycle network now includes:
- Major's Well Road scheme (completed early 2023)
- N63 Ballinalee Road scheme (completed May 2024)
- Battery Road scheme (completed June 2025)
- Aghafad pedestrian and cycle scheme (construction Q3 2025)
- N63 Farranyoogan Pedestrian and cycle schemes (Construction 2026)
- Incorporation of two new TFI (Transport for Ireland) shared bus stop landing zones into the scheme
Additional schemes are progressing through preliminary design phases for Lower Battery Road, Church Street, and Templemichael, including a planned pedestrian bridge to Longford Mall.
The project received 100% funding through the Active Travel Programme and National Transport Authority, with construction delivered by Noel Regan and Sons (Plant Hire) Ltd and designed by Kilgallen and Partners Consulting Engineers.
