Cavan County Council has confirmed it has secured €6.85 million from the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) for two strategic, housing-enabling infrastructure projects in Cavan Town.

Announced by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, the support covers schemes at Drumlark and Station Road and is being administered by the Department's Housing Activation Office.

The €5 million Drumlark Enabling Infrastructure Scheme will deliver a new roundabout, around 400 metres of new access road, footways and stepped cycle tracks on both sides, together with public lighting and associated works.

This first phase of a wider strategic access framework for the Drumlark area is designed to remove current constraints on adjoining lands and is expected to facilitate up to 520 new homes, close to Cavan General Hospital, local schools and the town centre.

The €1.85 million Station Road (L2541) Enabling Infrastructure Scheme will continue and widen public footpaths along Station Road, introduce a raised pedestrian crossing/gateway treatment, and provide local kerb realignments, junction upgrades and improved sightlines at the Station Road junction with the R198 Railway Road.

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The works aim to tackle existing issues with pedestrian connectivity, road safety and junction capacity, and will help accelerate the activation of adjoining housing lands in this strategically important part of the town.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Carmel Brady, welcomed the announcement, saying, "Cavan County Council has made great strides in increasing housing delivery, but a key constraint – especially in a large urban centre like Cavan Town – has been the surrounding infrastructure. I'm delighted Minister Browne and his department officials have recognised this through the establishment of the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, and I want to thank them for their support of these two worthy schemes, which will improve safety, encourage active travel, and pave the way for much-needed housing supply".

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle, said: "Increased delivery of housing is a core motivator for Cavan County Council, and these projects will support the delivery of increased social housing and private development, as well as advancing our goals of improving road safety and encouraging active travel, thereby promoting public health and reducing carbon emissions. We will continue to pursue increased housing and associated infrastructure provision using all the means at our disposal. I'd like to thank our staff in Road Design, Planning, and Housing Construction in particular for their efforts on these projects, and also acknowledge the support of our elected members in securing funding for capital projects."

Director of Service for Roads and Infrastructure, Economic Development and Enterprise, Climate Change, Environmental and Water Services, Paddy Connaughton, also hailed the decision, stating, "I'd like to thank the Department for recognising the quality of these applications and the strategic importance of these two schemes. I want to also acknowledge the efforts of the Road Design, Planning, and Housing Construction teams who've worked together closely to identify key enabling infrastructure projects and successfully target funding to deliver them".

With funding now secured, the next steps include developing detailed plans, progressing both schemes through the Part 8 process, and preparing a project programme with a view to procuring a contractor and delivering the works.