‘How long is a piece of string?’ - No clear timeline for delivery of Limerick bypasses - Ireland News Beep

THERE is no clear timeline for the delivery of bypasses planned for two towns in County Limerick, a council meeting has heard.

An update on the N21 Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale Road Schemes was provided at the May meeting of the Newcastle West Municipal District.

The two schemes aim to relieve congestion on the N21 Limerick to Tralee road through Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale.

Deirdre Clarke, Senior Executive Engineer at Limerick City and County Council, outlined the progress that is being made on the two projects.

Ms Clarke said that the Newcastle West scheme is “substantially advanced”, with the design currently being reviewed for the second time.

She explained that comments arising from the original design are due to be incorporated, after “extensive engagement” with local landowners.

Ms Clarke continued by saying that ecologists are currently conducting ecology surveys at the site with the aim of reducing the risk of challenges at the planning stage.

She added that it is hoped that the planning application for the development will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála by the end of the year.

While the Abbeyfeale scheme is going through a similar process, Ms Clarke said that it is running “slightly behind”, with the Newcastle West scheme two or three months ahead.

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Michael Collins, expressed frustration at this situation, highlighting that the two schemes were supposed to be advancing together.

He also questioned the amount of engagement with local residents that has been undertaken.

Cllr Collins said that some residents had told him that they “haven’t heard anything in months” and that he was “getting that quite regularly”.

He told the meeting that this presents a very stressful situation for those who will be moving home to make way for the schemes.

Cllr Collins called for a “simple update” to be given over the phone to those residents in order to alleviate their stress.

These sentiments were echoed by Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin, who argued that the two projects have to be given priority by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

He said that these projects can’t be allowed to “sit on someone’s desk for months” and concluded by asking how long the planning process is expected to take.

To this, Ms Clarke responded by asking “how long is a piece of string?”.

She went on to explain that the Abbeyfeale scheme has fallen behind because it involves a “slightly more complicated design” given the surrounding landscape.

Ms Clarke also told councillors that each scheme will cost in the region of €200m.

Independent councillor Jerome Scanlan said that the council “needs to be mindful” of the stressful situation facing those who will be moving to new homes.

Cllr Scanlan continued by saying it was “extremely important” that the council maintains communication with the local residents, who are facing “one of the most stressful events of one’s life”.

He concluded by asking if the council has any indication of a completion date for the two schemes.

In response, Ms Clarke said that it was “very difficult” to give a clear timeline for the delivery of the two projects, because they could face challenges at the planning stage.

She explained that the planning process alone could take two years and that in the “best case scenario” the projects will be delivered “beyond 2030”.

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‘How long is a piece of string?’ – No clear timeline for delivery of Limerick bypasses

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