Clare’s Fine Gael TD says the Minister for Transport needs to ‘step up to the plate’ and sign off on the Northern Distributor Road.
Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan has stalled on approving the tender for the road, as he considers a local rail link in conjunction with the project.
Approximately €19 million has been spent so far on the Coonagh to Knockalisheen road, which will link Clare to the University of Limerick.
Fine Gael representatives from both Clare and Limerick are meeting this evening to discuss the impasse.
Deputy Joe Carey says the wait for the project has been long enough.
Statement from the Department of Transport
Minister Ryan is carefully considering this project in the light of the overall development needs of Limerick and Shannon, and as part of the review of the National Development Plan. Roads cannot be considered in isolation but should be part of overall planning and transport strategy. Limerick and Moyross in particular deserve high quality connectivity that goes beyond roads, to include active travel and public transport.
The draft LSMATS (Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy) commissioned by the Minister’s department proposes a significantly different road than what had been originally planned (i.e. single carriageway rather than dual carriageway) There was strong political support locally for including ambitious suburban rail plans to reactivate Limerick’s significant under-utilised rail infrastructure in the Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. The Minister has already funded Irish Rail in the recent Budget to develop a suburban rail strategy for Limerick. Moyross is located on the Limerick to Ennis line, and is very likely to be a key node in the suburban rail network. A station in Moyross would become a vibrant hub for the area and facilitate social and economic development. It is worth noting that the Minister announced funding recently for a much improved 303 bus service for Moyross, involving better evening service and increased frequency.
Minister Ryan held a virtual meeting with Moyross residents recently and plans to visit Limerick to ensure he has local input before any final decisions are made.
