Green party councillor welcomes 'sustainable and rounded' Cork-Limerick road update

Cork Green Party councillor Oliver Moran has welcomed the update on the N/M20 Cork-to-Limerick road and the accompanying public-transport measures.

The new road will provide up to 100km of safe, shared active-travel pathways, connecting communities from Blarney to Patrickswell, the largest project of its kind in Ireland.

“The shift in focus, from being a traditional private-car-focused roads project to supporting ride-sharing and public transport, is a significant re-imagining of what a project like this can be,” said Mr Moran.

“The project team have also confirmed to me that they’re ‘steadfast’ in their recommendation for the introduction of an hourly direct rail service between Cork and Limerick alongside the road,” he said, adding that the project also ties in with the every-10-minute commuter rail service between Mallow and Cork that’s under way and the new station and Park & Ride proposed for Blarney.

It is likely to be a tolled road, and Mr Moran said that was “bound to be controversial.”

“But the announcement of distance-based tolling as part of the project is fair and will encourage use of the more sustainable transport features.”

A dual carriageway M20 motorway with a 120kph speed limit has been selected, following appraisal of alternative road types. They recommended demand-management measures, distance-based barrier-free tolling, with work ongoing to determine appropriate toll charges for the various classes of vehicle.

The project will facilitate efficient public transport options, including quicker inter-city express bus services and improved efficiency on existing bus services serving the communities on the route.

“Ride-sharing and public transport hubs will allow people to pick-up and drop-off passengers along the route and will connect with local bike parking, active travel routes and public transport, said Mr Moran.

“Few roads projects are going to be welcomed from a climate action point of view. But, overall, the project presented is a picture of a more sustainable and rounded project than we might otherwise be used to.”