Opinion Piece – 19 May 2015
With Minister for Transport Pascal Donohoe knocking the possibility of progressing the M20 Limerick to Cork Road, Limerick Chamber Economist Dr. Órlaith Borthwick explains why it is such an important and needed investment for the region and why Limerick Chamber won’t take no for an answer.
Over 25% of Ireland’s economic activity is generated in the Mid and South West regions. Limerick and Cork account for one-third of Ireland’s population outside of Dublin. The Limerick region is recognised as an internationally attractive location in which to invest, do business and create jobs. Global leaders such as Johnson & Johnson, Zimmer, Stryker, Cook Medical, Regeneron, Roche, Analog, Dell, Intel, Element Six, Kostal, Molex, GE, Northern Trust, Genworth, Pepper, Glass Lewis, Kemp Technologies, and AMAX to name but a few have all chosen to locate here.
As a location in which to live, work and play Ireland’s 2nd and 3rd cities offer a quality of life that cannot be accessed in the capital; Limerick offers higher levels of disposable income, shorter commuting times and a work life balance that cannot be surpassed.
We live in a global economy where the speed at which business can be done is critical for success. Technological advancements enable business to transact in milliseconds and it is proven that enhanced connectivity increases economic activity. But technological connectivity is only complementary to physical infrastructural connectivity.
National assets of key strategic importance are located in the Limerick region; with Shannon Foynes Port Company (one of country’s three tier-one Ports) and Shannon Airport (one of the country’s three national Airports) providing a gateway to the world. Therefore, the region plays a key role in driving competitive advantage for Ireland as an island economy on the periphery of Europe.
Yet 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.
It is the role of government to provide infrastructure to facilitate and support economic vitality; contrary to this, the current road infrastructure connecting Limerick to Cork has become a barrier for business growth and job creation.
While ‘regional’ 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.
Limerick Chamber recently met with Minister Donohoe and expressed the growing levels of frustration across the business community that this critical piece of inter-urban connectivity is not viewed as a strategic investment priority for government. Limerick Chamber has pledged to continue lobbying for this vital piece on infrastructure on behalf of its members, until such point that government sits-up and takes note of the needs of their constituents outside of Dublin.
Ends
Limerick Chamber is the leading business organisation in Midwest region supporting and representing the interests of over 450 businesses
For further information, please contact Edwina Gore, 061 217607 or 083 4588466
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