Kinnegad works to start up again in early January

Traffic in the centre of Kinnegad will be reduced to one lane for two months from early January as work recommences on the public realm enhancement project on the main street.

The enhancement works include the installation of a raised table, the installation of granite kerbs and paving to the raised table and footways, as well as the installation of street furniture, road markings, signage, landscaping and site ancillary works.

In a statement issued to the Westmeath Examiner, Westmeath County Council said: “One lane of traffic will be closed from January 6, 2025 and a temporary traffic light or stop, go system will be in place at all times.

“Access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times and at least one footway will be opened at all times. The lane closure is expected to be in place until March 2025. Please note the duration of works depends on weather conditions.

“Westmeath County Council would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

On November 20, the council introduced the one lane stop, go traffic plan in the centre of the town to the consternation of local business owners, who were concerned that shoppers would take their custom elsewhere in the run-up to Christmas.

However, following a series of meetings with businesses and community representatives, the council agreed to scale back works from December 7 to the end of the Christmas period and to restore a two-way traffic management system.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner in November, Cllr Denis Leonard said that while the community support the works, being carried out by council staff and Uisce Éireann, “it has to be done in a sustainable way that doesn’t affect our small and medium businesses”.

“We want the shops locally to thrive, because if small shops close, you end up having to drive 12 miles for something that should be available in Kinnegad. We’re talking about shop local and free parking days in Mullingar for shopping – there should really be more promotion of our rural towns as shopping venues as well, because if climate change means anything, it means try and get locally what you can before you get in the car and drive 12 miles to Mullingar or 40 miles to Dublin.

“With so many small and medium businesses under pressure, if you don’t have that few weeks before Christmas as a free run-in, it makes it more difficult to survive the following year.

“We just feel the timing of this is ill-planned and we feel the consultation leaves something to be desired,” Cllr Leonard said.