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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Jul 1972

Vol. 262 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Westmeath Construction Works.

147.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate as a matter of principle that funds will be made available as soon as required for the construction of a relief road and a second bridge in Athlone, County Westmeath.

Westmeath County Council have been notified of the acceptance in principle of the recommendatitons in the Athlone Traffic Study Report. These include a northern relief road with a new bridge over the Shannon, and a southern relief road connecting with the existing bridge via Strand Road. Plans for the latter scheme are at present under examination. Local authorities have been assured that such funds as can be progressively made available will be applied to the implementation of urban street plans.

The Minister knows from his frequent journeys through Athlone that congestion there is increasing monthly and that traffic will soon have to come to a full stop. Will he assure me that the phrase he used about making progressively available means what it says and that when it is required it will become immediately available to the Westmeath County Council and the Athlone Urban District Council.

So far as is practicable.

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