New road plan provides no access to N4 villages

Villages along the existing N4 look set to be completely bypassed if a plan presented to local councillors by Westmeath County Council on Monday comes to fruition.At a special meeting on Monday, Westmeath County Council unveiled the latest version of the proposed route for the new Mullingar to Rooskey Road - but Councillors reacted with anger upon discovering that there is no provision in the plan for slip roads to any of the villages along the existing N4 route.The plan provides for slip roads to and from the N4 at Portnashangan - and not again until Edgeworthstown.Politicians from all parties have slated the plan, warning that there will be a lot of concern in Ballinalack and Rathowen if all the through traffic is diverted away from their area - and if there is no access to their areas from the new road.Based on the original "Blue Route" out of the six possible routes for a new road put out for public consultation, the new version of the route is broadly similar to the original Blue Route drawn up, but with a few amendments.The new version is to go on public display at the County Council's offices, and at the National Roads Authority office at Cullionbeg, from July 7 to August 6.Fianna Fáil Councillor Robert Troy has revealed, however, that businesses in Rathowen and Ballinalack, are terrified that their areas will be decimated, if all the through traffic moves to a new route."We've decided to hold a public meeting in Rathowen Community Centre this Thursday night at 8 p.m. over the issue," Cllr. Troy told the Westmeath Examiner on Tuesday.He said that although county councillors, and the local business community had made submissions to Westmeath County Council asking that access to Ballinalack and Rathowen be provided from the new road, their calls had not been acted upon.Cllr. Johnny Penrose confirmed that there is a lot of concern over the plan presented to Councillors on Monday. He said that failure to provide slip roads would be highly detrimental to both villages, and said that both Ballinalack and Rathowen rely to a major extent on passing trade.While it's unlikely, said Cllr. Penrose, that construction work on the road will begin for the foreseeable future, due to the present economic crisis, he said it was important, nonetheless, that people know what route is in in the pipeline, and ensure that they are satisfied with it.