LNDR cannot be left to flounder without ministerial support
- Phase 2 of key road omitted from LSMATS
- Oireachtas members briefed on plans today
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has expressed concern about the future of Phase 2 of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road.
It follows a briefing for Oireachtas and elected representatives today, in which it was revealed that Phase 2 is – at this point – not included in the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy; a plan that extends from now until 2040.
“It’s very concerning that Minister Eamon Ryan has been given a ministerial directive that Phase 2 of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road be omitted from the LSMATS strategy,” said Deputy Crowe.
“This strategy will set out the infrastructural priorities for the south of Clare, encompassing Shannon Airport and Shannon town all the way as far as Limerick City.
“The strategy will run until 2040 and for this reason it is so important that the politicians of today strategically think about the needs of both counties Clare and Limerick but also the wider region for the next two decades.
“To outrightly omit this project now, in 2022, could have very serious negative outcomes for the people who will live here for the next two decades and beyond.
“I’m particularly concerned, as a Meelick native, that Phase 2 of the LNDR has been entirely omitted by Minister Eamon Ryan.
“At the moment, Phase 1 of this road from Coonagh, Limerick as far as Meelick, Clare is under construction albeit at a current standstill due to the contractor Roadbridge Ltd going into receivership.
“The government is working flat out to re-tender this project and to ensure that a new contractor is in place to complete it.
“When the road is complete it will end with a roundabout at Knockalisheen, Meelick and therein lies the problem – if we leave it, it in effect will become the road to nowhere and it’s important that a strategy is in place to pick up from that the terminus point and ensure that there is onward connectivity.
“The LNDR aims to alleviate traffic congestion in South Clare and the north suburbs of Limerick city but my fear is that if it’s only partially built that the opposite of these aims will actually be the outcome.
“Some local people continue to have legitimate concerns about the road routing, and it would be right and proper that these concerns are dealt with in the design and planning stages of the road, but it is wrong for the Minister to outrightly guillotine the project at this point.”
-ENDS-
