Go-ahead for village in Offaly to get approach road and paths improved
Pedestrian crossing and new footpaths will be provided as part of the works in Offaly
THE Tullamore road in Cloghan will be enhanced with new footpaths, a pedestrian crossing and other work, councillors have decided.
At the April meeting of Offaly County Council the councillors gave the green light to an Active Travel scheme for the village which will see work carried out on a 600m stretch of Hill Road/Street from the speed limit signs as far as the Spar store and filling station.
Tom Shanahan, director of services with the council, said no submissions had been received from the public in relation to the project.
Footpaths will be widened, T-junctions at entrances to estates will be tightened to improve pedestrian safety, there will be a new pedestrian crossing and public lighting will be upgraded.
The work will result in the removal of four trees but eight will be planted in the green area at Hill View.
Mr Shanahan said funding for the work had already been approved.
Proposing that the council go ahead with the project, Cllr John Leahy said he had liaised with the local development committee.
“Cloghan would have always felt that maybe they were a village left behind,” said Cllr Leahy, but work had now been done, including the playground and the traffic lights.
The Tullamore road side of the village was needed traffic calming, said the Independent councillor and he was not surprised there had been no submissions from the public because they had liaised closely with the council in advance.
Cllr Leahy said the project was excellent and shovel-ready. “It's definitely warmly welcomed by everyone in Cloghan.”
Cllr John Clendennen, Fine Gael, said he hoped ducting for placing services such as cable underground should be done as part of the work.
“It's something we should try and do as standard on all civil works going forward,” said Cllr Clendennen.
Mr Shanahan told him underground ducting is generally carried out but is often a separate project with the ESB.