“TII must not subject Durrow N52 project to endless funding uncertainty”: Nolan

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has directed an urgent plea to Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to finally release funding to address safety concerns with a section of the N52 near Durrow, Offaly.

The issues regarding the N52 stretch of road between the N4 intersection at Kilbeggan to the Tullamore bypass were highlighted by the Durrow Community Development Committee.

Deputy Nolan said that “in the dying days of this Government, it appears that TII remain paralysed with inertia and inaction regarding this critically important project for the community at Durrow and all those who travel this incredibly dangerous stretch of road.”

The Independent TD went on to say that it was now almost a full year (November 5, 2023) since she was assured by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a Dáil debate that funding for the project would be reviewed in 2024.

“There is a clear recognition that the Durrow N52 project is a vitally important and necessary element of our road safety infrastructure. At present we have a situation where life-threatening risks are ongoing due to an unwillingness or inability to fund this particular project. That must end,” said Deputy Nolan.

“I have worked closely with the Durrow Community Development Group and have recently assured it that I will continue to prioritise this issue on their behalf.

“We know that the proposed new route has been approved. We know that TII have accepted the plan, and we know that landowners have accepted the new route.

“What we do not know is when TII will release or allocate the funding to bring the project to a successful completion. If it requires additional capital funding from Minister Eamon Ryan, then he should provide that and let us get on with the work,” concluded Deputy Nolan.