Ballyconnell lighting extension welcomed

An extension of public lighting along the N87 outside of Ballyconnell Town as far as the Slieve Russell Hotel at Cranaghan has been welcomed.

The investment is a follow on from recent resurfacing investment along the stretch.

Cavan County Council has been in the process of resurfacing the N87 between Staghall and Ballyconnell in recent years, and recently oversaw the completionof work between Cranaghan and Mullaghduff.

The work, funded entirely by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and costing €1.25 million, exclusive of VAT included the reinstatement of a footpath connecting Ballyconnell Town to the Slieve Russell, and included electrical ducting for subsequently lighting connection.

The funding for lighting has come from the National Transport Authority, and local Fine Gael Councillor Peter McVitty informed The Anglo-Celt that the works could be completed before the end of the year.

“All going according to plan it should be done before the end of the year,” he said.

“It is something I’ve been looking for to happen for a number of years and I had it down as a resolution to happen at our last Municipal District meeting. I would like to thank Senior Engineer Paul Mulligan for all the work he has done on this project. It was my first motion down as councillor when I was elected in 1999 to get a footpath out to the Russell and I’m delighted to learn that all will be completed now. The Russell is a fantastic facility and wonderful asset to Ballyconnell, both in terms of employment and as an attraction for visitors coming to the area. It was vital this work was completed as a safety measure as much as anything else.”