Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed confirmation from Minister Eamon Ryan that his department has given the green light to Phase 1 of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road and the project can finally proceed.
The news brings an end to a significant amount of doubt over the future of the entire project in recent weeks, which has been 12 years in the making.
“I’m delighted that Minister Ryan confirmed on Limerick’s Live 95fm Limerick Today programme that Phase 1 of this long-awaited project can finally go ahead,” said Deputy Crowe.
“This ends weeks of recent uncertainty and alarm in the locality that this road, despite 12 years of public consultation and preparatory works may not take place
“I’m grateful that Minister Ryan has taken time to consider the merits of Phase 1 of this project and that it can now proceed immediately, and a contractor is in place so construction could very realistically begin this side of the summer
“Already, there is a causeway built along the Coonagh to Caherdavin stretch of the roadway, comprised of large boulders with an earth embankment.
“There is already an extensive network of drainage of sluice gates in place and the entire corridor from Coonagh as far as Meelick has already been fenced off.
“The road will incorporate approximately 10km of new footpath and 10km of new cycleway and it will open up South-East Clare to new opportunities, also alleviate traffic problems in South Clare and the north suburbs of Limerick City.
“In all of my years as a councillor, I attended briefing sessions and meetings relating to Phase 1 of this road and a lot of work has been undertaken in partnership with local community over the years.
“It would have been wrong for landowners and homeowners nearby to have seen this project pulled at the eleventh hour so thankfully, that concern is no longer there for them.
“At last week’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting, I joined with my colleague Willie O’Dea in tabling a motion calling for this road to progress.
“Our motion got full backing of the party colleagues and it resulted in the Taoiseach contacting Minister Ryan directly to make this call.
“I think people in South Clare will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that years of uncertainty will now end and this project will begin in earnest.
“The opportunities with this are endless and it’s now vital that both Clare and Limerick councils engage proactively with residents along the corridor of Phase 2 of this road so that their concerns can be listened to and some certainty can also be found for them.”
