Project is of pivotal national importance and should be expediated- Limerick and Cork Chambers
Thursday 2 May 2019: The appointment of the design contract for the 80km M20 motorway between Limerick and Cork has brought the realisation of the critical project a key step closer, Cork and Limerick Chambers jointly stated today.
Responding to the signing of the Design Contract for the N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project today at Limerick City and County Council, the chambers welcome the move but called for the project to be prioritised in the national development plan.
Said Dee Ryan, CEO of Limerick Chamber, “The M20 is among the most crucial infrastructure projects yet to be delivered in the State. The appointment of the design contract shows the level of intent there is for the project.
“However, in welcoming this, we would urge that the momentum is maintained as every day that goes by without this holds back the south and west from reaching its economic potential. The delivery of the M20 needs to be expediated as no other infrastructure project in the country can contribute so positively for so many.
“It will create a seamless motorway link from Cork to Limerick and connecting with the existing motorway to Galway. The ripple effect from that will be far and wide, right up to helping to provide the much-needed complement to the capital.”
Said Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber: “The M20 is an essential investment for the future of the not just the south and mid-west but for the nation. It will be a major economic catalyst, creating a powerful economic corridor comprising Cork, Limerick and Galway. Connecting the country’s second third and fourth largest cities by motorway will significantly boost efforts to achieve the type of balanced regional development that is badly needed on the island of Ireland. It is a key component of Ireland 2040 and must be delivered without delay. .”
“A major report – ‘Gearing up for the M20: A Route to Success’ by Indecon Economic Consultants and RED C Research – jointly commissioned by Cork and Limerick chambers, showed that, when completed, the M20 will provide a gross exchequer impact of up to €128 million per annum and support an additional 4,000-5,000 direct jobs in the region. The M20 has the potential to unlock major economic benefit for the nation as a whole.”
The 2017 report found the project will help realise the Atlantic Economic Corridor concept of a powerful three-city region comprising Cork, Limerick and Galway. It confirmed the existing N20 capacity constraint and revealed that it would reduce Blarney to Patrickswell journey timed by 16 minutes to approximately 47 minutes, reducing stress for commuters in the process.
ENDS
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