Local councillors have united in welcoming allocations of over €3.6 million for roadworks in the county, announced in the estimates for 2009 by Westmeath County Council last week.
Of the total, over a quarter is to go towards local road restoration, with €994,463 allocated for this purpose.
The second highest amount in the estimates, €612,000, is to be allocated for the restoration of regional roads, while almost half a million is to go towards surface dressing for local roads.
Sums of €278,966 and €262,000 respectively have been set aside for the maintenance of regional and local roads.
Funding was also announced for footpaths in Mullingar, which are to benefit from a significant cash injection of €550,000. Low cost safety works to the value of €180,000, footpath improvements worth €114,000, and road safety improvements of €21,130 were also included in the allocations.
There was also funding for verge trimming, the erection of speed limit signs, and the provision of public lighting.
The majority of the estimates correspond roughly with the figures for 2008, and were welcomed by a number of councillors in the Mullingar West area.
Fianna Fail’s Cllr Robert Troy said the allocations were particularly important in light of recent deterioration in road conditions, and in attracting investment to the region.
"I'd like to welcome the allocation. This is very important as we need to improve the roads in the area which have deteriorated with the prolonged bad weather. We will also see massive investment in footpaths, which will enhance the appearance of the town and hopefully encourage people to come to Mullingar. This work too will be of benefit to the local economy,” said Cllr Troy.
Labour Cllrs Cornally and Penrose also said they were delighted to welcome the estimates, having campaigned to have a number of the works done.
They particularly welcomed local road restoration to be carried out at Joanstown, Skeaghmore, Glascorn, Slanebeg, Pishanagh/ Rathduff , Rowlandstown, Rockfield, and Empor; footpath improvements at Mullingar Road Ballynacargy, Ballinalack, and Gainstown; and works on School Lane in Rathowen, Community Centre Layby in Rathowen, and drainage works at Skeagh Beg and Kilgawny.
