HomeNewsLimerick to Cork road is barrier to growth

Limerick to Cork road is barrier to growth

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ย by Kathy Masterson

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LIMERICK Chamber economist Dr ร“rlaith Borthwick has described the state of the current road infrastructure linking Limerick to Cork as โ€œa barrier for business growth and job creationโ€.

She added that the Governmentโ€™s failure to progress plans to build a motorway connecting the two cities as contrary to its role โ€œto provide infrastructure to facilitate and support economic vitalityโ€.

Ms Borthwick pointed out: โ€œOver 25 per cent of Irelandโ€™s economic activity is generated in the Mid and South West regions. Limerick and Cork account for one third of Irelandโ€™s population outside of Dublin. The Limerick region is recognised as an internationally attractive location in which to invest, do business and create jobs.

โ€œYet the internal road infrastructure connecting people and businesses to these assets is below what is either acceptable or safe. The 90km stretch of N20 will take, at a minimum, an hour and a half to travel, although this is often nearer two. Delays are increased by the large number of villages and towns the road dissects. The road was never built to deal with current traffic volumes; the level of road traffic accidents is testament to this.โ€

She also noted that โ€œnational assets of key strategic importanceโ€ are located in the region, such as the Shannon Foynes Port Company and Shannon Airport.

Ms Borthwick concluded: โ€œWhile โ€˜regionalโ€™ growth is continuously iterated as a policy priority, little by way of meaningful investment has unlocked the growth potential and economic vibrancy of the region. The M20 is an overdue piece of national road infrastructure that is needed to connect the cities along the Atlantic Corridor, stretching from Galway to Cork and beyond.โ€

Limerick Chamber representatives recently met with Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe and expressed the growing levels of frustration across the regionโ€™s business community that the M20 project is not viewed as a strategic investment priority.

The Chamber has pledged to continue lobbying for the project on behalf of its members โ€œuntil such point that Government sits up and takes note of the needs of their constituents outside of Dublinโ€.

 

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