A proposed route corridor for the new Tullamore to Kilbeggan road has been published

The emerging preferred route corridor for the new N52 between Tullamore and Kilbeggan has been published.

The route corridor is circa 8.1km in length and maximises the use of existing upgraded sections of the N52, including the approach to the Tullamore Bypass at the south and the approach to the M6 Motorway junction at the north.

Leaving from Tullamore, the route corridor follows the existing N52 until just north of the L2003 Ballynamona Road, where it diverges to the east. It crosses the L2005 and the L2006 High Road before merging back with the existing N52 again, north of the county boundary in the townland of Curraghglass.

The emerging preferred route corridor was chosen following an appraisal of the five route corridor options published in November 2020 and the feedback received through the public consultation.

The emerging preferred route corridor represents a combination of Options 2 and 3. This was identified as the optimum route corridor option, having regard to the overall benefits and impacts based on the six criteria to be considered for transport projects.

The project team is now seeking public feedback on this emerging preferred route corridor.

The N52 between Tullamore and Kilbeggan currently operates above capacity, carrying over 14,000 vehicles a day.

Offaly and Westmeath County Council say that this project is a priority to improve connectivity and safety.

“Safety is compromised by a narrow hard shoulder and many at grade junctions and private access points,” they say. The overall aim of the proposed new scheme is to “improve connectivity within the midlands and address existing operational and safety issues”.

In compliance with current COVID-19 measures, and to provide access to project information in a safe environment, an online consultation room is available at www.n52tullamoretokilbeggan.ie

All project information, including an interactive map of the emerging preferred route corridor and the consultation questionnaire is available to view and submit online.

In-person consultation days are arranged for Monday, September 20 and Wednesday, September 29, at the Tullamore Court Hotel, where interested parties will have an opportunity to discuss the scheme with the Project Team.

Attendance at these in-person consultation days is strictly by appointment only and will be limited to two persons per booking. Walk-ins will not be possible. People are asked to visit the online booking system through the online consultation room, where a meeting slot can be booked with a member of the project team. Strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing will apply, and proof of vaccination may be requested.

During the six-week consultation period, the project team are available for phone calls and follow-up online meetings as required.

The public is also being invited to submit a consultation questionnaire to the project team.

All feedback should be returned by October 29

The questionnaire can be returned online, by email to info@n52tullamoretokilbeggan.ie, by post to N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan Project Team, RPS, West Pier Business Campus, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. A96 N6T7.

You can also phone 01 5239274 (Weekdays 9am-5pm) or visit www.n52tullamoretokilbeggan.ie

Feedback and submissions received through this latest public consultation phase will be considered by the project team before a preferred route corridor is finalised. A full option selection report and preferred route corridor will then be published. This is expected to take place in late 2021.

After a preferred option is finalised the next phase of the planning and design process can commence (subject to relevant approvals), which will include identifying the landtake required, junction and access designs and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. During this phase further engagement with landowners and interested parties will be undertaken as part of the ongoing design process