CORK 2 Limerick Motorway

07/01/2018

A cautious welcome for a statement from the Minister but let’s remember we’ve here before. The pressure needs to be increased to ensure the M20 doesn’t fall between the cracks again. https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/building-motorway-between-cork-and-limerick-top-priority-says-paschal-donohoe-465293.html

The proposed M20 motorway is certain to be included in the Government’s 10-year capital plan later this month, it can be revealed.

21/10/2017

http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/m20-motorway-can-bring-thousands-of-new-jobs-461344.html

The M20 motorway between Cork and Limerick will enhance the entire region economically and socially while bringing new life to towns like Charleville, Co Cork.

21/10/2017

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cork-limerick-motorway-to-be-in-capital-plan-taoiseach-confirms-1.3255641

Work on €850m project could start by 2021 if planning is granted

21/10/2017

In recent weeks after a cabinet meeting in UCC further indications were given with regards to the M20 Motorway.
We all know that the Motorway will proceed but when is the question. It is estimated that that Motorway will take 10 years at least to complete but the fact no timeline has yet been outlined is very worrying. http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/277582/no-timeframe-put-on-completion-of-m20.html #.WeoLHaP4w44.twitter

FINANCE Minister Paschal Donohoe has declined to give a firm date as to when he expects the Limerick to Cork M20 motorway to be completed. The proposed M20 project has been given €5m to take it to the planning and tendering phase, the news being confirmed at a Cork Chamber breakfast briefi...

16/10/2017

Please take extreme care today and only drive if absolutely necessary. If this Storm will turn out to be as bad as some experts are predicting, many people will not have experienced a weather event like this before in Ireland. STAY SAFE https://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie/videos/1656793774341040/

04/10/2017

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/varadkar-promises-motorway-from-cork-to-limerick-1.3236083

‘It’s part of a future Atlantic Corridor which is going to link the entire western seaboard’

04/10/2017

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/micheal-martin-cork-limerick-motorway-is-an-absolute-imperative-456071.html

Martin: Transport links between Cork and Limerick must improve

18/07/2017

12/07/2017

Key FindingsThe assessment highlights the following key bene ts that would arise from completion of the M20 Cork to Limerick Motorway scheme:> The current N20 is under signi cant capacity constraints due to the recent growth in tra c volumes. Several locations on the current N20 have seen tra c levels at over 120% of capacity in 2017.> Development of the M20 would provide a Blarney to Patrickswell journey time of approximately 47 minutes.> The M20 scheme would prevent approximately 118 accidents per annum, which could result in an annual monetary saving of €12.4 million.> These transport bene ts would also underpin the competitiveness of the South-West and Mid-West Regions, through enhancing internal and external connectivity, and improving productivity.> The M20 would facilitate the development of a Cork-Limerick ‘twin-city’ region, which would provide a complement to Dublin in the context of the National Planning Framework, and the wider Mid-West and South- West Regions (including Kerry) and the Atlantic Corridor.> The M20 scheme would provide enhanced labour market connectivity for the 273,000 people in the wider catchment’s labour force. The motorway would increase the labour force within a 45-minute commute of major employment centres by an estimated 23% to 243,000 people.> The M20’s role in enhancing the environment for FDI and indigenous investment has the potential to support an estimated additional 4,000-5,400 direct jobs in the region. In gross terms excluding displacement impacts, these additional direct jobs could provide an annual gross exchequer impact of up to €128 million, depending on the nature of investment attracted.> The M20 would deliver improved capacity to serve the external trading and connectivity requirements of businesses and tourism in the South-West Region, including through expanding the catchment areas of Cork and Shannon Airports, and the major ports of Cork and Shannon Foynes.> The scheme would increase the accessibility of the wider South-West and Mid-West Regions for overseas and domestic tourism visitors.> The M20 would deliver social and community bene ts, including reduced stress and improved quality of life for commuters, and enhancing employment opportunities for residents in more remote locations.

11/07/2017

Cork-Limerick motorway could create 5,400 jobs, report says
M20 to open up economic corridor and develop three-city region in west and southwest

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, who is pondering whether or not to prioritise spending on the M20 motorway linking Cork with Limerick.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, who is pondering whether or not to prioritise spending on the M20 motorway linking Cork with Limerick.

Building the long-sought Cork-to-Limerick motorway could create up to 5,400 jobs and contribute €128 million to State coffers, a new report says.

The M20 motorway linking the two cities is one of several projects that Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is tipped to highlight as a Government priority in an announcement on Wednesday.

A report commissioned by Cork and Limerick chambers of commerce states that the motorway could potentially support 4,000 to 5,400 new jobs, which could contribute €128 million to the exchequer.

The study, Gearing up for the M20: A Route to Success, says the road would help create a three-city region, Cork, Limerick and Galway, realising the potential of an economic corridor in the west and southwest.

It would also help open up the southwest, as key routes in that region will intersect with the motorway, which will run from Blarney just outside Cork to Patrickswell on the fringe of Limerick.

Report authors Indecon International Economic Consultants and Red-C Research & Marketing said that traffic had grown to the point where there were too many vehicles using stretches of the existing road, the N20.

Their figures show that an average of 16,361 vehicles travel between Blarney and Mallow every day, 3,500 more than than that section’s capacity, while 14,047 drive between Croom and Patrickswell, 2,447 more than what the stretch can carry.

Prevent accidents

The M20 would cut the journey time from Blarney to Patrickswell by 16 minutes to 47 minutes and prevent about 118 accidents every year, the economists say.

Groups from both cities have lobbied several governments to build the road, but the estimated €850 million construction bill led successive administrations to shelve the project.

Conor Healy, chief executive of the Cork chamber, said the Government could no longer ignore the need for the motorway.

“It is in the national interest that our regional economies expand for Ireland to remain competitive and to complement growth in Dublin,” he said.

Mr Healy added that the M20 should be first on the list of projects to go ahead if the Government boosts infrastructure spending next year.

James Ring, Limerick chamber chief executive, described the M20 as the most significant piece of infrastructure yet to be built in the region.

“Current severe capacity constraints on the N20 are restricting growth potential in our second and third cities, and limit access to business and communities across Limerick, Clare, Kerry, Cork and up into Galway,” he said.

11/07/2017

A report commissioned by the Cork and Limerick Chambers of Commerce has concluded that no other infrastructure project has the potential to impact as positively on the country as the M20 motorway has.

The chambers say the need for a motorway between the two cities can no longer be ignored or postponed.

The report by Indecon/Red C found that a motorway between the two cities would create an economic corridor providing a balance to development in Dublin.

It would also underpin competitiveness of the southwest and midwest regions, as well as increasing the labour force within a 45-minute commute by 23%.

The report also found that current traffic levels along the current route, the N20, are over 120% of capacity.

Plans for the M20 were shelved by the Government in 2010 due to budgetary constraints.

It was a major issue locally during the 2016 General Election.

The new research also found the M20 would prevent approximately 118 accidents every year, cut travelling time between Blarney and Patrickwell by 16 minutes, and reduce stress and improve the quality of life for commuters.

11/07/2017

€20bn spending plan set to deliver key road projects


The Government is planning to announce a 10-year capital spending plan worth in excess of €20bn, or €2bn a year, which is set to deliver major projects like the long-awaited Cork to Limerick motorway.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will publish their summer economic statement on Wednesday, which will lay out the road map for the capital plan later in the year.

The Cabinet is to hold a special meeting to finally sign off on the plan ahead of its publication and Dáil debate which will be held on Thursday. Key details of the plan, obtained by the Irish Examiner, include:

A dramatic rise in capital spending from 2019, driven by a balanced budget in October;
A Celtic Tiger-style plan which will see major emphasis on road building like the €1bn M20 between Cork and Limerick and other major transport projects like the controversial Metro North;
Higher education “which has been starved of funds” and the health service in terms of increasing capacity are also to be prioritised.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, several Cabinet ministers confirmed the desire to ramp up capital spending from next year, which will be made possible by the first balanced budget in over a decade.

A minister said: “We are more confident now, given the quarterly tax returns at the end of June, than we were. We will see a big ramping up of capital spending.

“European rules look like changing but that is a factor. What is absolutely guaranteed is that we will balance the books in 2018, and that the reason we do, that the space dramatically opens up from 2019.”

When asked what numbers are possible, at least two ministers have confirmed spend is likely to be “between €2bn-€3bn a year for up to 10 years”.

One said: “Instead of Government having a few hundred million to play around with, we are now talking about billions over a sustained period of time and that is while being compliant with the fiscal rules.

“You see once we balance the budget, the apron strings are loosened significantly. We don’t have to answer to Europe at that stage.”

It is not expected that the economic statement will include specific details of individual projects.

The Irish Examiner has learnt Mr Varadkar placed heavy emphasis on road building to connect rural areas and regional cities at a special Cabinet meeting last Thursday. “There was a fair bit of discussion about roads and connecting rural and regional areas by road,” said one minister.

29/05/2017

‘Re-routing the Limerick motorway makes no sense economically’
Concerns have been raised that proposals for the Cork to Limerick motorway will be mothballed or significantly altered in a manner that may not deliver benefits to local communities along the route. Reporter Rob McNamara hears calls for clarity on the project.
CORK TD Seán Sherlock has called on the Transport Minister to “quash rumours” and move the Cork to Limerick motorway to the next stage of development.

Fine Gael leadership candidate Leo Varadkar has pledged to prioritise the Cork to Limerick motorway in the next Capital Plan but Transport Minister Shane Ross appeared to dampen his enthusiasm and said that “creative” solutions are needed to save on the cost of the estimated €800 million project.

The solution Minister Ross refers to is centred around a potential re-routing of the motorway through Cahir in Co Tipperary where it would link up with the Cork-Dublin motorway and thus reduce the overall cost by removing the need to build an entirely new road.

It would mean that towns such as Mallow and Buttevant - originally proposed to be bypassed by the motorway - would see limited benefits from the road and they will remain on the existing main road to Limerick.

The Government’s Capital Plan Mid-Term review, which will revisit priority infrastructure projects up until 2021, is due to be published in September.

In his policy document, Social Protection Minister Varadkar, who is leading the race to become the next Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach said: “The new Capital Plan will allow us to bring forward long-delayed projects like Dublin Metro, the M20 between Cork and Limerick, motorway access to the West and North-West and major investment in our healthcare and educational institutions. It will also enable further investment to tackle our housing needs.”

However, Minister Ross told the Dáil on Tuesday that the project would use up almost all of the Capital investment budget. He added that progressing the project in stages or looking at other solutions would be a preferable course of action but refused to discuss details.

“It would use up virtually the entire allocation... that can’t be done, I’m afraid, that’s the truth,” he said.

“What I wouldn’t rule out in this particular case is creative solutions. When I talk about creative solutions people get alarmed that there is going to be rerouting,” he added.

Seán Sherlock said rerouting via Tipperary the M8 is not a creative solution at all and would be detrimental to the north Cork region and outside finance should be considered to fund the route.

“You have to open up towns like Mallow and Charleville,” he said.

“Economic regional development must be predicated on linking Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway and Sligo along the Atlantic Corridor axis. An imaginative solution could mean financing this through the European investment bank. We need to move this project to the next stage and quash the rumour mill and have clear language from Minister Ross about what route is to be selected on the basis of common sense.”

Sinn Féin Kanturk-Mallow Councillor Melissa Mullane believes the project may never happen and is being used as an election tool.

“We plead again and again but it just falls on deaf ears. Mallow is a fantastic town and it has huge business, such as Dairygold. The town needs the infrastructure. Buttevant and Charleville are getting bigger also,” she said.

“We can’t bring employment and businesses into an area without proper infrastructure. We’ve been promised it for so long. It’s frightful that coming up to an internal election in Fine Gael that they start promising things. The motorway has always been an election ploy and it never seems to come about. Until I see the first sod being turned I believe it’s a pie in the sky project. It would be devastating for businesses.”

Councillor Gearóid Murphy of Fianna Fáil said re-routing doesn’t make any sense economically, or for the environment. “Taking the motorway back out towards Dublin and then back to Limerick is very shortsighted. I hope it’s just a rumour. The Minister’s comments are not very encouraging,” he said.

“Regionally, it would be really detrimental to the area and would have an environmental impact to re-route the cars through Tipperary when they could take a much shorter route through north Cork and West Limerick.”

Independent John Paul O’Shea said re-routing the motorway would be a huge step backwards for growth in north Cork and the south west region.

29/05/2017

FINE GAEL’s leadership candidate Minister Leo Varadkar has said that the new motorway between Limerick and Cork could be delivered by 2022.

The Social Protection Minister made the comments in relation to the M20 at Bobby Byrne’s pub, O’Connell Avenue, after participating in the annual Miflord Hospice memorial walk this Sunday morning.


Last week, Minister Varadkar, in what was seen as a U-turn, said that he would prioritise the development of the M20, though he had abandoned the project back in 2011.

However, in response to a parliamentary question put by Deputy Niall Collins, Minister for Transport Shane Ross cast fresh doubts over the €1bn project, saying that the problem is “scale and size”, adding that it would use up “the entire allocation of the capital review”.


When asked about the likelihood of the €1bn project being delivered, he said: “I absolutely envision it happening.”

“A lot of projects had to be postponed during the recession, for example, the Metro in Dublin; the M20 which is the most important project, in my view, in Munster, connecting Cork and Limerick.

“You now have a link by motorway, Galway and Limerick, and it’s only common sense that we link, by motorway, Limerick and Cork. Both for economic reasons, but also for towns like Buttevant, Charleville and so on, that are very congested. So, that will be very high on my agenda on ones that we need to get done. Now, it’s not going to get done overnight, but I think it could be done over the next five years,” he explained.

Attending the lunch event at the pub were Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Minister Mary Mitchell-O’Connor, Tom Neville TD, Sen Maria Byrne, Sen Kieran O’Donnell, local Fine Gael councillors and party members.

After the memorial walk, Varadkar also made a commitment to visit the facility in the coming months.

29/04/2017

The Department of Transport says it does not have the money to progress plans for a Cork to Limerick motorway.

The proposed M20 route is expected to cost between €800m and €1bn.

Initial plans set the route between the two cities via Mallow and Charleville.
But the Government is reportedly considering scrapping the route in favour of upgrading the N24 between Cahir and Limerick.

Dr James Ring, CEO of Limerick Chamber of Commerce, says a direct Cork to Limerick motorway is needed, however.

"Ireland needs a strong Dublin, but Dublin needs a strong region, and Cork, Limerick and Galway are dots on a map," he said.

"And on a global scale, we're non-players really. But bring the three of them together and you're starting to form a critical mass, up along the west coast of Ireland.

"The three cities should be working together to try and help the country, not trying to fight over the scraps off Dublin's table."

21/04/2017

Re-route a threat to Cork-Limerick motorway


Executive staff of Cork County Council, backed by elected members, have warned the Government any attempt to re-route a proposed motorway link between Cork and Limerick through Tipperary would be a disaster for the economies of North Cork, Kerry, and West Limerick.

Senior officials and county councillors were responding to unconfirmed reports the Government may resort to including a large part of the existing M8 Cork-Dublin motorway for a long-awaited improved intercity link between Cork and Limerick.

Some proposals suggest forcing traffic into South Tipperary — where it would connect to a new motorway linking Cahir and Limerick — would be financially more viable than a direct route from Cork through towns such as Mallow and Charleville.

However, Cllr Gerard Murphy told colleagues the council must act to ensure a direct route is built.
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“The importance of the direct route cannot be underestimated,” he said.

“Any change in the proposed route would completely cut off North Cork, Kerry, and West Limerick from the rest of the country. We need the route to go ahead as planned, with proper access routes to Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, West Limerick, and Kerry.

“Have no doubt, there is pressure mounting to change the route.”

He pointed out businesses in the Munster region have given their overwhelming support to the proposed M20 motorway, with 98% stating that a direct connection will enhance economic linkages between Cork and Limerick.

Initial findings from a Red C Research survey of businesses, conducted as part of a study into the proposed motorway, also found a large majority believe it would lead to increased road safety.

Cllr Frank O’Flynn said he was aware of demands for the motorway to be built to Limerick from the M8 near Cahir in Co Tipperary.

“The future of the whole Mallow area depends on a direct Cork-Limerick motorway,” he said. “We’re the only country in Europe where the second and third cities are not connected.”

Cllr Gearoid Murphy said not having a direct route would increase the carbon footprint, as vehicles would travel further if forced through South Tipperary.

The council’s director of roads Tom Stritch said he had no doubt the Government would examine the possibility of building a motorway link somewhere between Mitchelstown and Cahir to Limerick, but he pointed out council officials wanted a direct route between the two cities providing access to Mallow, Buttevant, and Charleville.

Mr Stritch said officials were liaising with Limerick County Council on the matter.

Cllr Tim Collins said the present main road between Cork and Limerick was very dangerous in sections. He said it was, therefore, imperative a new motorway be built directly to make travel between the two cities safer.

Mr Stritch also said Jacobs Consultants were expected to finalise by the end of next month, or early June at the latest, a feasibility report into the building of a northern relief road around Mallow.

Assistant county manager James Fogarty said the road was vital to prevent Mallow grinding to a halt.

“The relief road could be built three years ahead of the motorway and we’re pushing for that,” said Mr Fogarty.

It was indicated if funding was immediately available to build the motorway, it would take at least six years to complete.

21/04/2017

BUSINESSMAN WARNS THAT PROJECT COULD FAVOUR CORK AND GALWAY

M20 motorway plan could 'suck life' from Limerick John Garrett, Caroline Kelleher and Kieran O'Donnell at the meeting
LEADING local businessman Tadhg Kearney has warned the M20 project could “suck everything” from Limerick in favour of Cork and Galway.

The Thomas Street jeweller was speaking at a meeting held by Senator Kieran O’Donnell on how to lobby for the €1bn motorway between Ireland’s second and third cities.

More than 100 people were at the South Court Hotel for the meeting on the motorway, which is widely expected to be included in the government’s mid-term capital review.

While many spoke in favour – including Mr O’Donnell, who said it is the “single most important piece of infrastructure needed in the region” – Mr Kearney says the road could do “serious detrimental harm” to Limerick’s economy.

”Cork is a much larger centre, and I’m concerned it will suck everything from this region and give nothing back. The larger area tends to have that power,” he said. Mr Kearney also warned Galway could also benefit.

“My concern is the attraction at both ends being Cork and Galway, with the tunnel bypassing Limerick city centre. It will be good for the port, good for the airport, and good for the industrialists. But it has a danger of doing serious detrimental harm to Limerick city centre,” he told the meeting.

Farmers and residents based along the proposed route of the M20 as it was when it was axed in 2011 also expressed concern, with many believing it is likely the same route will be favoured.

Mary Fox from Bruree said: “Everyone wants the area to succeed in terms of growth, but not at the cost of people’s lives, where we are considered in rural areas to be collateral damage and where there is no communication or consultation.”

Patrickswell man John Higgins said: “This will cut through the middle of my farm. Farms are being destroyed. No-one has spoken to me, or any of the lads, no-one has asked a question of us, because they know better. They know what answer i’ll give them.”

Gerry McMahon, Dublin Road, challenged Fine Gael ministers to travel the existing road from Cork to Limerick.

“If they don’t conclude after this that this M20 is neded, then we should call on them to resign.”

Caroline Kelleher, Limerick Chamber said: “I think it’s very fair to say the current standard of road between Limerick and Cork is not great, and not efficient, and is not moving people effectively.”

Mr O’Donnell warned there’s a need to get the show on the road.

“JP McManus is looking to get the Ryder Cup to Adare in 2026. The target is to have the road built by then. This will enhance the prospect of having the Ryder Cup come to Limerick and Adare Manor,” he concluded.

The senator urged everyone who can to make their views known on the proposed link to the government’s mid-term capital review.

18/04/2017

Businesses in Munster have voiced their strong support for the proposed M20 motorway linking Cork and Limerick.

According to The Irish Times, Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said the motorway was needed as a "natural complement to Dublin and as a fulcrum point for economic development all the way from Cork to Galway".

The estimated €1 billion project is not currently included in the Government’s capital spending plans, but Finance Minister Michael Noonan has recently stated that proposals were being examined for a public private partnership that would see tolls fund the road off the Government’s balance sheet.

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney said last month that the M20 was a "priority project once more".

Coveney said that a large-scale investment would not "be an easy thing to do", but that the Government was "looking at ways we can finance that sooner rather than later".

Coveney's comments came as a Construction Industry Federation (CIF) delegation claimed the motorway could be kick-started with an investment of just €5m.

CIF vice president Pat Lucey said:

"If there was €5m allocated for Cork to Limerick, you would get an enormous amount of planning done.”

CIF director general Tom Parlon added that the total €1bn cost would be covered by the resulting economic benefit inside of 18 months.

In February, the Ireland 2040 report highlighted how half of all our economic activity is generated in Dublin.