Councils to seek public views on N4 road plans

Three public consultation 'exhibitions' have been organised jointly by Westmeath and Longford County Councils, on the route corridor options for the N4 Mullingar to Longford (Roosky) Road Scheme.Also in partnership with the Councils in organising the events is the National Roads Authority.The exhibitions will outline what is planned, and allow the public to give their opinion on the intentions of the Councils and the NRA.The scheme is to upgrade 50 km of the N4 national primary route between the recently-completed N4 Dromod-Roosky bypass and the N4 Mullingar bypass.The scheme is being designed to bypass Newtownforbes, Longford, Edgeworthstown, Rathowen and Ballinalack. According to Westmeath County Council it will improve road safety and will reduce travel times along this section of the N4.Three exhibitions have been arranged. On Thursday 18th September the exhibition will be at the Aras an Chontae, Great Water St, Longford from 2 pm until 8 pm. On Friday 19th September the exhibition will move to the Green Community Centre in Edgeworthstown, and will again be open from 2 pm until 8 pm. On Saturday 20th September the exhibition will be at the Mullingar Park Hotel in Mullingar, starting at the earlier time of 10 am and closing at 4 pm.John Ahern, Head of the Westmeath National Roads Design Office said: 'We welcome comments and views on the route corridor options for this important scheme.Local people are invited to attend the exhibitions and make their views known by completing the consultation questionnaire or by writing direct to us at the National Roads Design Office, Culleen Beg, Mullingar, County Westmeath'