Local TD and Minister Patrick O’Donovan has said that the traffic calming works in Banogue, which are costing €608,000 are a real example of the Government’s investment into a rural community in Co. Limerick.
“After first being appointed as a Minister in the Department of Transport in 2016 I set about working with the Department and Limerick City and County Council to get a number of key projects on our national roads included on the roads program by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. I was anxious to get the traffic calming projects in Dromkeen, Kilcornan and Banogue included together with a number of other works. Dromkeen and Kilcornan have been finished and Banogue is now under construction and almost complete.”
“When I was moved to the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform I continued to keep the pressure on to get the work done on this very busy section of the N20, because I know it is such a dangerous section of road. I’ve had so many local people contact me in relation to this, including parents of the local school and people who want to cross the road to the shop or who travel through Banogue daily, telling me of the need for this, so I wanted to ensure that it was pushed forward.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that both he and his Fine Gael colleague for the area, Cllr Stephen Keary were delighted to see the works nearing completion. Minister O’Donovan said “Banogue is a small community but this funding of €608,000 from the Government is, I know, very welcome by the community because many of those who had for years campaigned for the works to be completed have been in touch with me. A lot of them wanted to acknowledge the work that had gone into getting the scheme to the point of where it is now, and I know that there is a broad understanding that without the backing of the Department of Transport we could not have gotten it over the line.”
“I’m looking forward to the completion of the work in Banogue. I have met with my colleague Minister Hildegarde Naughton TD in relation to a number of other projects across the County that I want to see progressed. I’ve always maintained that it is important to use my voice within Government to move local projects here in Limerick along, and I know that these can take time with planning and other considerations which have to be gone through. They have to be worked at with agencies like TII and the Council over time, and this one in Banogue is an example of what can be achieved within Government when that is done.”
The Minister for the Office of Public Works also said that he has recently met with Limerick City and County Council in relation to Rourke’s Cross also on the N20 in light of the recent An Bord Pleannála decision. “I have been consistent from the start in that I support the local community, who want this junction addressed and a roundabout installed. The roundabout needs to be built and I have told the Council that and I will be making my views known both to TII and the Department of Transport as well. We have dealt with Banogue, we must now deal with Rourke’s Cross and ensure that the road is made safe for all road users.
