The Emerging Preferred Route Corridor (EPRC) for the upgraded N4 between Mullingar and Roosky

Unveiled: emerging preferred route corridor for upgraded N4 from Mullingar to Roosky

Eilís Ryan

Published: Tue 2 Jul 2024, 3:21 PM

Last updated: Wed 3 Jul 2024, 9:47 AM

The Emerging Preferred Route Corridor (EPRC) for the upgraded N4 between Mullingar and Roosky has been published today, July 2.

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The section between Bunbrosna and Edgworthstownl

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On the route from Mullingar to Bunbrosna, it is proposed that the route will go south of Ballinafid Lake.

Bunbrosna, Rathowen and Ballinalack all look set to be bypassed on their western sides, as does Edgeworthstown.

Significantly, the new route is to go south and west of Ballinafid Lake, which is just before the existing turn-off for Multyfarnham.

The EPRC, as drawn on the consultation maps for the public consultation that now gets underway, is 300 metres wide – but this is not the actual width of the proposed road development or the lands to be acquired: “the corridor simply indicates the lands within which a road alignment could feasibly be developed,” the team says.

The views of the public are now being sought on the EPRC ahead of a final decision on the route.

The new road is to replace an existing 52km section of the N4 is a single carriageway road that passes through or close to several settlements, including Ballinalack, Rathowen, Edgeworthstown, Longford and Newtownforbes.

“The project team are progressing the project to deliver a safer and better-connected transport network between Mullingar, Longford and onwards to Roosky,” the consultation portal states, going on to say that this will enhance overall accessibility in the region and to the West/Northwest by resolving the network deficiencies along this section of the N4 route.

A further aim is to reduce traffic levels within the settlements along the route and allow for reallocation of road space through the provision of dedicated walking, wheeling and cycling routes.

According to the design team, the proposed project represents over 25% of the N4/M4 corridor and remains the largest unimproved section of the route. “The road currently services up to 17,500 vehicles per day and features more than 500 junctions and direct accesses, compromising road safety,” says the team.

The team also points out that this section of the N4 continues to see high collision statistics, with over 200 personal injury collisions reported between 2008 and 2023. Of these collisions, 20 resulted in fatalities and 35 resulted in serious injuries. Over 50% of the collisions resulting in fatal or serious injury occurred in the last 6 years, from 2018 to 2023.

The public consultation on the route runs until Friday August 16, with all details, maps and documentation available to view online at https:n4mullingartolongford.ie

An interactive mapping facility on the consultation site allows viewers enter their Eircode or address to view the route in relation to its proximity to their home.

A presentation on the route was made to members of Westmeath County Council this morning, and members of the public can attend a drop-in in-person consultation event taking place tomorrow, Wednesday July 3 from 2pm to 8pm at the Mullingar Park Hotel, or a similar event at Edgeworthstown Library tomorrow Thursday July 4 from 2pm to 8pm. There is also a consultation event taking place until 8pm this evening (July 2) at the Longford Arms Hotel.