M20 - Cork to Limerick [preferred route chosen; in design - phase 3]

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cork-limerick-motorway-benefits-outweigh-costs-376577.html

Further proof that Pascal and Leo have been bullsh*tting the people of Cork and Limerick.

the two of them, are bullshi**ers of the highest order, like the rest of them... Even with our infrastructure deficit, we are spending nearly the least in europe as a % of GDP on infrastructure. It is hard to make educated guesses on anything though, when you dont know what is going on in those snakes head on any issue. If they were reluctant for larger infrastructure spend this year and prefer to spend more on welfare increases and income tax cuts (which they feel will win more votes than spending on infrastructure, which might well be the case) why not re-secure election and from 2017 with power achieved again, increase areas of spending which desperately need it, but arent attractive vote grabbers for many of the electorate (well away from any election)...

this seems to me to be one way around the joke that is the irish electorate, you still maintain power, but you can govern far more responsibly...

marno21 wrote: »

The M20 topic has become somewhat of a political football with the upcoming election with everyone bar Fine Gael promising it.

The Social Democrats have erected motorway signage about it from the end of the current M20 to the border with County Cork.

They're up around Mallow and New Twopothouse as well.

The latest Transport Minister to mothball the M20 is in danger of losing his seat. Now that would make my day!!

marno21 wrote: »

In the end, almost all discussion of it was in the Cork East and Limerick constituencies that it runs through.

Will be interesting to see what government is created from an infrastructure point of view, although I don't think you can do any worse than FG.

Was watching the Vincent Browne debate for Cork East there in the last few days, and Sean Sherlock said the M20 was not feasible at present due to the "1.2 billion euro pricetag". The M20 was valued at €800 million around 2009 when it also included an Adare bypass. Where has the extra 400 mil come from?

Fair point. Interesting that it doesn't seem to have impacted on the Government parties in those constituencies, but I think the way things have gone, I don't think the Government's commitments on infrastructure (or lack thereof) is the reason for them losing so many seats, though. But that's enough of the politics!

Schadenfreudia wrote: »

And then some....they are the absolute zero in terms of infrastructure.

I often say there is no difference between FF and FG (generally true) - but in terms of providing infrastructure they are chalk and cheese.

Yeah, one had loads of money during a time of great prosperity the other took the reins when we had the IMF in, great comparison:rolleyes:

Sam Russell wrote: »

Mod: can we skip the politics - this is the roads forum.

It is relevant, to be fair.

Some political parties are in favour of the construction of the M20. Others aren't. That fact shouldn't be swept under the carpet.

Look this should be taken to another topic, but M20 isn't all Cork East, by a long stretch. Most of Cork East constituents don't use N20. It's a Cork North Central, Cork North West issue. The boundary between the Cork constituencies is total nonsense. If you were from the area you'd understand better, it's not something easily visible on a map. Apologies to admin. Feel free to delete.

On the M20, given that the whole concept of an M20 is currently pie-in-the-sky, should we change focus to N20 piecemeal upgrade to HCDC? It seems clear that the M20 does not gain traction within Leinster House. Precisely because of politics. But could it instead be better for the different areas to fight for bypasses? Particularly Buttevant and the surrounding area is a black spot for traffic. Even widening these roads to include hard shoulders and remove the 90 degree bends could yield big benefits?

marno21 wrote: »

Apologies, misread your post. The stress of having to drive in a long queue down the N20 this evening must have been affecting my vision. :P

Still though, should be built as M along its length, even if its piecemeal. I would start with north of Mallow to Cork including North Ring Rd east. Would relieve a lot of issues in Mallow which will be exasperated by the expansion of Dairygold and the fact that the road network in the Mallow network is already ridiculously sub-par.

Yeah I think you're taking me up wrong, I'm asking whether breaking it up and/or downgrading to HQDC would ultimately get it over the line faster, getting the full M status in time, but alleviating some of the pressure in the meantime.

What I'm saying about Cork East also, is that the majority of Cork East population don't use the N20. I do realise that Mallow's in Cork East, but remember Cobh, Youghal, Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Fermoy, Mitchelstown aren't agitating for this needed road. It's used by more people from Mallow, North Central and North West. So the constituency boundary actually messes with the road development in the worst possible way also.

Work going ahead on the main roundabout in Mallow according to reports today as Dairygold have agreed to front the cash... its going to be ridiculous at peak times during the works