Facelift for Fordstown with road and paths upgrade

The village of Fordstown is getting a major facelift as safety measures, new footpaths and improvements to the green are taking place.

Work started recently on the enhancement scheme and is expected to take a number of weeks.

Cllr Mike Bray said the village will see upgraded footpaths, road safety and improvements to the general appearance of the village. "There will be traffic management in place at times throughout the duration of the works over the coming weeks," he said.

Cllr Bray explains that the work is part funded through a grant from the Community Amenity Project Scheme of €35,000 to the Fordstown Girley Community Development Association. Meath County Council is also funding the work.

"I am a committee member of Fordstown Girley Community Development Association and I put in the application," he explains.

"We were delighted to get the funding and it will make a huge difference to the area.

The work will include an extension of existing footpath along the L-6836 Girley Road and improving the junction and crossing points.

"It will improve visibility and most importantly make this junction safer for pedestrians and residents on the Girley Road. There are a lot of pedestrians that walk along there," Cllr Bray said.

A new footpath will be provided to join the existing footpath around square and out the L8002 and it too will have improved crossing points.

The existing footpath along the R164 Kells/Athboy Road will also be extended.

"When the footpaths are being put in, the pots and connections for public lighting will also be installed. Work to provide the new lights will take place later in the year," said Cllr Bray.

The area will also receive a general facelift with new kerbing and the creation of a wildflower meadow in the green area.

Improvements will also be carried out to the area around the old pump.

"It is nearly 20 years since there was any investment of any significance in this area. It is a busy little area with shop, Causey Farm and the regional Kells/Athboy road. It will be good to see the safety improvements in particular," said Cllr Bray.