Future road project delays ‘unacceptable’
Concerns were expressed this week about the future of some major road infrastructure projects in Cork after comments were made in the media about funding.
Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO, said it was concerning to hear that some of the most critical infrastructure projects planned for the Cork region are likely to be further delayed because of uncertainty around funding.
“Guaranteed funding must be put in place for strategic infrastructure projects such as the M20 and M28.
“These projects have already been in the pipeline for some time and further delays are unacceptable,” Mr Healy said.
Mr Healy was speaking after Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) chief executive Peter Walsh warned that key transport infrastructure projects, including the M20 Cork to Limerick and M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorways, could face significant delays because of issues around funding allocation.
He told the Irish Examiner that TII would like to get more schemes in the pipeline but the current circumstances with funding constraints has resulted in delays and he called for a multi-annual funding allocation.
Mr Healy added: “Providers of critical infrastructure, including transport infrastructure, need multi-annual funding plans to enable them to plan and deliver large-scale capital projects effectively. The Government must examine the introduction of funding schemes on a multi-annual or major project basis to remove needless uncertainty and delays related to funding for such critical infrastructure developments. This will also help to secure a more competitive marketplace for the delivery of major projects which will ultimately benefit the taxpayer.”
Meanwhile, Cllr John Paul O’Shea, Fine Gael’s general election candidate in Cork North West, said: “In my own area, people are worried about the progression of projects such as the M20 Cork-Limerick motorway, the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road, and the N72 Mallow Relief Road. These are projects which have already caused frustration because of their slow progression to date.
“Businesses, commuters, and tourists in Cork are all heavily reliant on having an efficient road network.
“Multi-annual funding is provided in many instances by Government to provide for long-term stability, most recently to RTÉ.
“There is no logical explanation as to why it shouldn’t be allocated to such critical infrastructure projects,” he said.