Senator Aisling Dolan - Strong Voice, New Vision.
Roscommon has received a massive boost today with €9,198,484 investment for urban renewal from the Government’s Urban Regeneration Fund (URDF), Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan has confirmed.
The Roscommon County Council project, ‘Putting the Spokes back into the Hub’ will deliver:
· Spoke 1 – creation of a Civic Square, linking the new Linear Park on Circular Road to the Market Square and Main Street Commercial Hub
· Spoke 2 - activating backlands of Main Street through pedestrian links for town centre living
· Spoke 3 - development of opportunities for social infrastructure in the brownfield sites of Henry Street and Church Street
· Spoke 4 - creation of pedestrian and cycle routes to create a low-carbon transport county town
Senator Dolan stated: “This €9.2m investment will revitalise and renew our town, improving our public areas, creating walkways & cycleways, tackling vacant or under-utilised areas and developing the potential for more housing which will bring more people and families to live in our town centres.
“In addition, it will add to our town’s architectural heritage around Main Street and the Bank in the Square to make it a more vibrant area and a place to live, work and visit.
“This development will make walking and cycling a pleasure for the local community and will encourage more people to explore the town centre, shop local and take time for a coffee or lunch in our great cafes, restaurants and hotels.
“I congratulate everyone who has been involved in securing this major investment for Roscommon town including the Community, Business and Enterprise Teams in Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Municipal District, local Councillors as well as Roscommon Chamber and the Town Team.
“I have supported this project with Minister of State Peter Burke who has responsibility for Local Government & Planning,” added Senator Dolan.
Minister of State Peter Burke said, “I was happy to meet Senator Dolan to discuss this project in Roscommon town on a number of occasions where she highlighted the huge benefits this investment will bring and I am happy to confirm that it has received a significant grant of almost €9.2 million from the Department of Housing.
“The funding will be transformative in Roscommon town, which I know is a busy and growing market town. I am certain that it will enable the town to go from strength to strength and improve the quality of life for all residents.”
Senator Dolan continued: “This €9.2m funding for Roscommon Town builds on previous URDF funding for the town including €780,000 in initial funding for the Square and Main Street which was secured in November 2018.
“We can already see the impact of the funding as well as the Historic Towns Initiative and €160,000 in funding for the transformation of Church Street with great colours on the facades as well as conservation of our historic buildings which shows the pride we have in our town.
“The area around Main Street and the bank in the Square will be opened up with paved walkways, trees planted along the side as well as bike stands to encourage cycling.
“We will still have traffic circulating in the town centre and parking – so vital for local businesses – and I will work to ensure that this project is delivered as efficiently as possible.
“When it is finished, the tree-lined streets leading to the Bank and the square will be a stunning streetscape bringing real joy and pride to people in Roscommon town,” added Senator Dolan.
The Fine Gael Senator also noted that: “The Roscommon Bound programme connects with our global Rossie family and encourages people to think twice about living and working in Roscommon.
“We have more opportunities now with the Tánaiste’s remote working strategy to choose a better quality of life with excellent schools, clubs and better chances to find a good affordable home for your family. This URDF investment will increase people’s enjoyment of our town centres and a sustainable quality of life will encourage people to become ‘Roscommon Bound’ in safer times,” concluded Senator Dolan.
