Roscommon County Council has signed a contract today (Monday 23rd February) with Coffey Construction Ltd. for the construction of the Roscommon Town Centre East Public Realm Enhancement Project.
The project, which received planning approval in February 2023, represents a major component of the broader ‘Putting the Spokes Back in the Wheel’ public realm regeneration plan for Roscommon Town and includes several features.
The plan will include a new linear park and cycleways along Circular Road / N61 from the Lanesboro Street roundabout to the Athlone Road roundabout with additional controlled and uncontrolled crossing points.
The plan will also see the demolition of the existing Library store building off the town’s Circular Road and redevelopment of the parking area adjacent to Roscommon Arts Centre.
Further works include Public Realm Improvements on the L70421 and improved pedestrian connectivity from the N61 through the car park at Tesco to the Main Street area of the town.
Other provisions of the plan include Public realm and cycleway improvement works on Athlone Road and Brogan’s Lane, and on Goff Street from Church Street to the N63 Junction as well as public realm improvement works on Church St from the junction with Goff Street to Abbey Street, and Public Realm improvement works on Henry Street
Delivery of the project has been led by Roscommon County Council’s Regeneration Team, working in collaboration with Kenny Lyons and Associates Architects.
The project is being funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), with match-funding by Roscommon County Council. The expected duration of the works is 24 months.
Welcoming the start of the construction phase, Cathaoirleach Liam Callaghan stated that the signing of the contract “marks another significant milestone for Roscommon County Council, working in partnership with Roscommon Town Tea, in advancing the vision of the ambitious ‘Spokes and Wheel’ regeneration plan.
“This project will build on the public realm improvement works already undertaken in the town’s historic core – at Market Square and Main Street – completed last year (2025), Cllr. Callaghan commented.
At the contract signing, Chief Executive Shane Tiernan recognised that the construction works and associated traffic management will cause temporary disruption and inconvenience.
However, the Chief Executive emphasised that the “Putting the Spokes Back in the Wheel,” the theme underpinning this project, “reflects the Council’s focus on strengthening links between key destinations within Roscommon town and with the town centre, supporting active travel, and promoting an accessible and vibrant environment for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
“I look forward to advancing the next element of the Spokes and Wheel initiative; the Roscommon Town Centre West Public Realm Enhancement Project, which is expected to move to the construction tender stage imminently.
“This project will continue the delivery of a new and re-imagined town centre, which will not only have a positive impact upon its physical composition, but also its economic and social environment, as this town progresses into the future,” the Chief Executive remarked.
Commenting on the contract-signing, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said “This project, which has been allocated almost €9 million in funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), will play a transformational role in positioning Roscommon town as an attractive location for people to live and invest in as well as to visit.
“Building on the huge success of the Council’s works to Roscommon town’s Market Square and Main Street areas – also funded under the URDF – this project will further help in the delivery of a vibrant and liveable town centre.
“Supporting Local Authorities with projects such as these is exactly what the URDF is intended for – to create positive momentum by using targeted exchequer investment as a catalyst for regeneration and rejuvenation of urban areas that would not otherwise have the opportunity to realise their potential.
I would like to commend Roscommon County Council on their work to date and look forward to returning to see the outcome of this ambitious project once completed,” Minister Browne concluded.
