Longford needs to get creative on public transport

Sinn Féin candidate in the Granard Municipal District Barry Campion believes Longford needs to get creative and think big when it comes to public transport.

Describing public transport as ‘poor’, Mr Campion said road infrastructure falls way behind anywhere else in the country, making it difficult for businesses to move goods efficiently.
He continued, “The N4 has been at and over capacity for close to two decades now. The N55 whilst currently being improved between Cavan and Ballinagh is beset by delays in the decisions linked with the re-routing between Edgeworthstown and Ballymahon.

“Funding in the rail network has never reached levels needed to allow an efficient, fast and frequent service. Single track across most of the mainlines in the country doesn’t allow trains to reach the speed they were designed to nor does it allow for the frequency to make the train a reliable frequent option when travelling across the country.

“The R198 linking two towns of regional importance (Longford/Cavan) is a dangerous winding road that is not fit for the level of traffic or the vehicles that use it. Granard is a growing town, it lacks direct buses to the capital or even a fast frequent shuttle bus to Edgeworthstown station. Longford needs to get creative and think big.
“As far as road infrastructure is concerned towns and villages like Ballinamuck, Drumlish and Moyne shouldn’t have to tolerate dangerous roads.

The county town needs reliable frequent buses linking it and its environs frequently, reliably and in a way that will reduce private car usage. It's time for real action on reducing car usage. It's time for real action on road safety and in many cases this means major upgrades or replacing roads.”