€900,000 boost for Longford Town public realm project

Longford Town is set for a major public realm upgrade after €900,000 in Government funding was approved for improvements to Lower Main Street.

The funding has been welcomed by Longford County Council and comes under the Government’s new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, which will provide up to €409 million for almost 120 regeneration projects nationwide.

The Lower Main Street Public Realm Enhancement Project will focus on the section between Little Water Street and Richmond Street, transforming an important gateway into the town centre.

The works are designed to make the area safer, more accessible and more attractive for residents, businesses and visitors.

Plans include the reconstruction and widening of footpaths, a new pedestrian crossing and accessible parking facilities.

The project will also see the installation of heritage-style, energy-efficient public lighting, the undergrounding of overhead utility cables, new street furniture and bicycle parking.

Landscaping and tree planting will form part of the scheme, which will also improve links between the town centre and a number of significant regeneration projects.

These include the Camlin Quarter, the redevelopment of Seán Connolly Barracks and Longford County Council’s new Tourism Office at the Old Post Office.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan, said the funding represented a “significant investment” in the future of Longford Town.

He said the project would strengthen connections between major regeneration schemes while supporting economic activity, encouraging sustainable travel and improving the experience of the town centre.

Longford County Council Chief Executive Samantha Healy said the investment was a “great vote of confidence in Longford”.

She said the improvements would help create a more welcoming and vibrant environment while encouraging walking and cycling, supporting local businesses and enhancing the appearance of the northern gateway to the town.

The project supports the objectives of the Longford Town Local Area Plan, the Longford Town Centre First Plan and the council’s wider regeneration programme.

The funding announcement comes as towns across the region continue to pursue investment aimed at revitalising town centres and encouraging increased footfall and economic activity.

The Lower Main Street project will now progress through detailed design, statutory approvals and procurement before construction gets underway.