Rathowen area opposed to bypassing of villages

Residents of Rathowen have added their voices to the growing chorus of opposition to one of the routes suggested for the new N4 Mullingar to Rooskey road, which would bypass Rathowen, Ballinalack and Ballinafid.Rathowen Community Development (RCD) has said it is opposed to the proposed road on a number of fronts, not least of which is its proximity to Corrydonlon Bog and the bog walk there.Two letters - one from RCD, and one from local businesses - have been sent to the National Roads Design Office in Mullingar, outlining their concerns.According to Lorraine Thomsen, writing on behalf of the directors of RCD the community is 'not happy' with being completely cut off from the motorway, believing it will affect businesses in the village.'The community is not developed enough to sustain the businesses and we realise the importance the road has at present to the economy of businesses in the area,' she writes.Ms. Thomsen adds that the RCD wants to NRA to consider alternative solutions, such as the upgrading of the existing N4, and extra lanes to deal with overtaking traffic, and for slower traffic such as trucks and tractors.'The RCD feels that there was not enough information given to the community or meetings held to inform people of the bigger picture,' she continues, before going on to invite the NRA to a meeting in Rathowen Community Centre to explain the three possible routes and to listen to the people of Rathowen and their views, options and alternatives to the plan.'Rathowen Community is very concerned about their village and what the future brings with this proposed road,' she concluded.A second letter to the NRA is from the businesses along the N4, who say that the road is the 'lifeline' of their businesses.'We are not anti-progress or development, but we are fearful for the survival of our businesses, communities and villages, as we employ approximately 150 workers and contribute €8m into the local economy,' the letter states.It goes on to explain that Rathowen and Ballinalack are 'only developing' and that it will take another 10 to 15 years for the local communities to be viable to support shops, filling stations and restaurants.'Therefore if this by-pass proceeds, it will wipe out the current business infrastructure, which is without not sustainable the passing traffic.'The businesses are warning that 150 jobs could be lost; that with shops under threat, the survival of post offices would be threatened as well.'If Rathowen and Ballinalack lose their Post Office, then over 200 social welfare recipients would have to find alternative offices. This can be very upsetting for pensioners and as we all know the Post Office and local shop are the heart of communities,' the letter states.It also points out that rates and service charges paid by local businesses to the local authority amount to over €100,000, and that the Collector General would be at a loss of VAT, PRSI and PAYE which is generated by the businesses in the area.According to the businesses, Rathowen, Ballinalack and Ballinafid are not bottlenecks, and there"s a constant flow of traffic through the villages. They suggest that the NRA look at the option of extra lanes, as outlined in the RDC letter; and they point out that the cost of this option would be less to the Exchequer than that of a new road.The letter was sent on behalf of Sean and Peggy Kearney, Kearney"s Garage, Dublin Road, Edgeworthstown; Peter O"Connor Motors, Kilsallagh, Edgeworthstown; John Feerick, Feerick"s Hotel, Rathowen; Lorraine Tormey, Tormey"s Gala and Rathowen Post Office, Rathowen; Cyrian Connaughton, The Village House, Rathowen; Margaret Keogh, River View B and B, Ballinalack; George Robinson, Huntfields Furniture, Ballinalack; Vanessa O"Brien, Vobe Interiors, Ballinalack; John McCabe, Riverside Music, Ballinalack; Aiden Geerah, Daybreak/Top Filing Station/ Post Office/ Western Gem, Ballinalack; Maura O"Reilly, Mace Shop, Texaco Filing Station, Ballinalack; David O"Reilly, O"Reilly"s Commercials, Ballinalack; Peter Garvey, The Covert, Ballinafid; Hugh Tormey, Tormey"s Bar, Bunbrosna; John Neenan, Klassmann Group, Killinagh, Rathowen; Leonard Green, Joanstown, Rathowen; Kenneth Green, Green Farm Foods, Ballygarvey Rathowen and John Noel and Sarah Ann McGivney, Multyfarnham.The directors of Rathowen Community Development are: Tommy Lambden, Lorraine Thomsen, Peter Fulham, Marcella Farrell, Vincent Maguire, James Duffy, Lily O"Connor, Vincent Maguire, James Duffy, Lily O"Connor and John Rogers.