'Further delays are unacceptable': Uncertainty over funding for new road projects in Cork

Uncertainty over funding for major roads projects, including upgrading the Cork to Limerick M20 and the Cork to Ringaskiddy M28, has been met with concern from Cork Chamber, while Fianna Fáil’s transport spokesman and Cork East TD James O’Connor blamed minister for transport and former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

The uncertainty follows comments from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) chief executive Peter Walsh which indicated that certainty over multi-annual funding was needed so TII could plan in line with the long-term delivery timeline for large capital projects such as the M20 — the largest single active travel project proposed in Ireland — and the M28, on which advance works have been already under way for the past two years.

According to the Fianna Fáil transport spokesman James O’Connor, the current uncertainty over funding would be removed once there was a change of minister for transport.

“I would expect that to happen before Christmas, as the likelihood is that a general election is coming soon,” he said.

“I’m on record that my preference is that we do not do another deal with the Green Party, thereby removing the blockages around roads funding in Cork.”

Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork, said that there was no fear of the funding for either of the two Cork road projects, which he said would be funded “incrementally”, as all similar large-scale projects were supported.

“I think what James O’Connor’s problem is that he seems to begrudge the additional funding that’s been made available to get balance in our transport spending, the money that’s going on public transport infrastructure and active travel measures such as cycling and pedestrianisation,” he said

He described the notion that this was not additional money but support being taken away from roads as a “false narrative”.

Cork Chamber said the comments attributed to Mr Walsh were a matter of concern, and the body’s chief executive Conor Healy said: “Guaranteed funding must be put in place for strategic infrastructure projects such as the M20 and the M28”.

“These projects have already been in the pipeline for some time and further delays are unacceptable.”

Cork Chamber’s call for multi-annual funding for roads projects was echoed by Fine Gael councillor and Cork North-West Dáil candidate John Paul O’Shea.

“There is no logical explanation as to why it shouldn’t be allocated to such critical infrastructure projects,” said Mr O’Shea, pointing out the dependence of businesses, commuters, and tourists on an “efficient road network”.

“We cannot allow a situation to develop where we are forced to choose between projects, or where large projects are being consistently put on the long finger because the department didn’t adequately fund TII,” he said.

“There are numerous projects contained in the latter half of the National Development Plan, planning of which needs to begin urgently.

“There have been far too many fatalities and tragedies on our roads over the last number of years, and adequately funding our road network is an investment in road safety.”

A response has been sought from the Department of Transport.