M20/M7 Roxboro Interchange

Mc Love · 22-03-2014 3:38pm #1

I would wholeheartedly welcome this if it even gets off the ground:

http://www.limerickchamber.ie/chamber-calls-on-local-election-candidates-to-reinstate-roxboro-interchange/

Limerick Chamber has today (18/03/14) called on local election candidates to commit to improved connectivity as part of their pre-election campaigns and prioritise the delivery of a reinstated interchange at Roxboro.

The Southern ring road in Limerick, which is part of the national road network of inter-urban connectivity, has no direct access to the City Centre. Limerick Chamber believe that the reinstatement of an interchange at Roxboro, which would enable direct access to the city from Dublin (M7) and Adare/ Cork (N20) directions, is a critical void in Limerick’s road infrastructure.

“While the ultimate decision on this lies with the NRA, our elected representatives play a critical role in lobbying for the prioritisation of the delivery of this interchange. The current structure, which diverts traffic inward to the city along residential areas such as Rosbrien, or clogged arteries such as the Tipperary road, is a barrier to enhancing the engagement of those living in the hinterland with our city, and is increasing the costs of doing business” commented Limerick Chamber economist Órlaith Borthwick.

“Local councillors play a key role representing the voice of their constituents at local and national government level. They also play a critical role in ensuring the right infrastructure is in place to enable their constituents – both residents and businesses – to connect, both with each other and beyond.

As a business representative organisation Limerick Chamber recognises the key importance of cost minimisation and time saving for all businesses. It is critical that customers and suppliers can access businesses and our city centre, in a clear and direct manner.

Limerick Chamber is calling on all local election candidates to commit to prioritising the delivery of this key piece of infrastructure in their pre-election campaigns” concluded Dr. Borthwick

Zoney · 22-03-2014 9:51pm

The only reason the city-bound links aren't there from M20 or M7 is because the council themselves back in the day asked the NRA not to include those links.

It would of course make sense to put the city-bound links in, they could be done pretty easily and the link road and childers road are not fantastic, but they're standard enough for urban arterial routes.

Mc Love · 23-03-2014 11:05am

I remember the amount of controversy it caused, it was by the councillors for that area asking for the link to be removed because of traffic congestion but then when the NRA actually went ahead with it, they were in uproar. It should never have been built the way it is as motorway traffic can still exit on to the road!

veryangryman · 23-03-2014 7:05pm

Mc Love wrote: »

I remember the amount of controversy it caused, it was by the councillors for that area asking for the link to be removed because of traffic congestion but then when the NRA actually went ahead with it, they were in uproar. It should never have been built the way it is as motorway traffic can still exit on to the road!

You don't want a clogged motorway. Crescent too close to other junctions. Would negate the purpose of motorway

Zoney · 24-03-2014 9:05pm

veryangryman wrote: »

You don't want a clogged motorway. Crescent too close to other junctions. Would negate the purpose of motorway

This isn't about where the N18 passes by the Crescent under the R526 (old N20).

This is about the M7/M20/N18 junction, simply adding two extra flows in to the existing link road (the one accessed from only N18 atm) - one flow from the M7 (coming from Castletroy/Dublin) and the other from the M20.

The_Wanderer · 29-03-2014 8:54pm

This one of the strangest junctions I've ever seen. No direct access to the City from Cork / Kerry and Dublin directions.

Mc Love · 30-03-2014 7:16am

It really makes you wonder what goes on in the heads of road engineers, the space is there for the two extra roads, it just needs a complete re-design!

Chris_5339762 · 30-03-2014 1:41pm

That access is missing, granted. The reason was that if it was provided, it would jam the whole junction up.

But the alternative would sadly have been something jokeworthy like a 3 level stack. I'm glad we got the freeflow that is there now.

spacetweek · 16-05-2014 11:20am

Mc Love wrote: »

It really makes you wonder what goes on in the heads of road engineers, the space is there for the two extra roads, it just needs a complete re-design!

You wanna read upthread there, the engineers wanted to put it in but Limerick City Council asked them to remove it.

Vanquished · 16-05-2014 12:58pm

Yes indeed. Back in the early noughties when the design of phase 2 of the southern ring road was being finalised a number of councillors from that area lobbied for the city access from the new interchange to be extinguished.

No doubt employing sensationalist rhetoric such as "de locals are like prisoners in their own homes" or "de road is a deathtrap!"

Now all of a sudden they are feeling very disconnected and disadvantaged altogether and want the access restored. Revisionism and amnesia abounds no doubt in relation to the original lobbying!

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if some of the councillors who vehemently opposed the access route more than a decade ago are now calling for its reinstatement!:rolleyes:

M20/M7 Roxboro Interchange

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