It’s claimed the opening of a new stretch of road in South East Clare will only solve half of a legacy traffic problem.
The first phase of the Limerick Distributor Road, linking Coonagh to Knockalisheen has finally opened to traffic.
The Limerick Northern Distributor Road was first touted in 2008 and a predicted cost of up to €150m, it was supposed to provide a dual carriageway linking South-East Clare to the University of Limerick.
However the second phase of the route was halted by the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan in 2022, in favour of increased investment in public transport, including a new train station at Moyross.
The first phase of the road, however, connecting Coonagh to Knockalisheen has finally come to fruition, opening to traffic for the first time last week.
Shannon Banks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan says many communities, including his own, are still caught in a bottleneck without the second phase.
During past public consultations for the road, Clare County Council had promised the overall route would remove bottlenecks at Westbury, Parteen, Meelick, Carraig Midhe and Shannon Banks.
However, the section from Coonagh to the University of Limerick appears to have little prospect at present, as it is not in the National Development Plan.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O’Gorman says until its fully complete, the benefits will not be felt in Clare.
Listen to the full interview here
