Report calls for larger towns in midlands

A consultants' report has proposed that steps should be taken to increase the population of towns such as Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore, as well as to improve transport and communications infrastructure and educational and employment facilities as part of a new development strategy for the midlands.

The report says the economic challenges facing the midlands gateway (as designated in the National Spatial Strategy) are very large. The report, which was commissioned by Offaly and Westmeath County Councils, points to an absence of a critical mass of population, employment and infrastructure in the gateway.

It says there are extremely low levels of value-added and productivity in the region's existing manufacturing base, which "leaves it vulnerable to significant further job losses". It points out that there is a persistence of socio-economic barriers, including noticeably higher unemployment and lower educational attainment in certain areas in midland counties.

The report also highlights the failure of the region to capture a higher share of tourism activity.

The Indecon report says there is a need to increase and develop the current levels of population and employment within the midlands gateway to the level required to achieve critical mass.

It says that a significant percentage of the growth will be accommodated in Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar. However, it proposes that there will also be population expansion in Kilbeggan, Moate and Clara.

Each of the principal gateway towns will provide for future commercial, industrial and recreational development. It also recommends the provision of a new strategic development zone in the region, the report states.

It says that these measures would facilitate the gateway to secure an additional 20,000 jobs.

The report calls for the completion as a priority by the National Roads Authority of all the projects in the midlands set out in the Transport 21 programme.

In addition, it proposes that the Portlaoise/Tullamore (N80), the Mullingar/Ardee (N52) and the Durrow/Kilkenny (N77) roads be upgraded as a priority. It also calls for the Athlone/Cavan (N55) and Athlone/Roscrea (N62) roads to be upgraded in the medium term, after 2010.