marno21 wrote: » This job was originally planned as part of the original M20 project Might knock a million off the price tag. The R518 West approach to this roundabout was to be an M20 access route so a roundabout was always going to be necessary. If a similar M20 routing is chosen it will be still relevant.
raindodger wrote: » Cant see how as the planned road was well to the west of this junction
Cookiemunster wrote: » Light rail? Is another councillor talking through their hoop? I'm pretty sure the Charleville to Limerick heavy rail connection is the only rail being looked at as part of the project.
Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden told a meeting of Cork County Council that the original route corridor selected in 2008 has been widened significantly by the Limerick-based M20 Project Team. The council heard this is to accommodate the possibility of building a light rail system in the years ahead which would run close to the motorway. Mr Madden said the project team is advising people seeking planning permission within the new route corridor that their application is “premature” until the exact routes for both the motorway and light rail are finally decided.
AugustusMinimus wrote: » Intercity light rail lol. What idiot Councillor put that forward?
snotboogie wrote: » It looks to me like the Project team have widened the route, not a Councillor. Or maybe I am missing something?
Pete_Cavan wrote: » Is this simply the widening of the study area as announced in the last Project Update with somebody thinking "rail-based options" means light rail? What will most likely happen is the M20 is route selection will identify a route along the existing N20 corridor but also recommend upgrades to the Cork - Limerick train service. IE have already started the process of removing seven level crossings on the line, I wouldn't be surprised if this sometimes gets presented as investment in improving PT between Cork and Limerick even though it has little to do with it. Further improvements at Limerick Junction possibly too as a sop to public transport and keeping the Greens on board.
riddlinrussell wrote: » The lack of dual track from LJ to Limerick is mad to be honest, I think it would be a great benefit to get that done as part of the 'Cork to Limerick Scheme'
Calina wrote: » Uh, not if it delays the M20. The route between Limerick and Limerick Junction is nowhere near any of the likely M20 routing, and iirc, the last selected route was west of Charleville. Cannot see it changing so significantly. I cannot see any benefit of trying to join that to the M20 project.
Pete_Cavan wrote: » The current process is to determine the best way to link Cork and Limerick. It is clear from the last Project Update I linked earlier that rail-based options are also part of the consideration and this we prior to the Greens being part of government. The process will almost inevitably identified the optimal solution as motorway along roughly the same route as previously identified and a few upgrades to the rail line to keep everyone happy. The rail-based doesn't have to be new track, almost certainly won't. Is there really much benefit in double tracking Limerick to LJ? I can't see how to will ever carry anything other than a few intercity services, there is no population along it for commuter services. Into Limerick already has double track, a well positioned passing loop would probably give most of the benefits at much lower cost. Further upgrades to LJ itself would be a better use of funds.
Sam Russell wrote: » The upgrade of the L to LJ line is only needed as optics for the GP to allow the M20 to go ahead. It is the provision of Intercity L to C services that is important but the lack of rolling stock is crucial. Let us hope they accept that planning for rail is enough to allow the M20 to proceed with great haste.
Bass Reeves wrote: » The problem with the idea of an intercity service is the failure to grasp that 80% of the traffic on the N20 originates on the N20. End to end is not a huge volume of traffic. ... The idea that a train track will manage to encourage commuters away from cars is not realistic, a structured bus service might encourage some to leave the cars behind
Pete_Cavan wrote: » Nobody is failing to grasp that. As I said earlier, the current process is also considering rail-based options with the almost certain outcome to be some relatively low cost upgrades to the existing rail lines while a new motorway is built along the N20 route. I don't think anyone is suggesting that rail could remove the need for the motorway (apart from a few ideologically blinkered Greens). Most of the rail line between Cork and Limerick is also the Cork - Dublin line, any upgrades to it would have plenty of benefit. An improved rail service between Cork and Limerick (even if it involves a change of train) is a good ambition, even if it doesn't take a huge number of commuters away from cars.
Bass Reeves wrote: » I fail to see the idea that throwing money at a public transportation system that will serve no benefit is a good ambition. If that money was used improving bus services between the two cities and from towns along the route it would be much more beneficial. We saw this with the Limerick to Galway rail service, usage figures do not justify the spend. That money if redirected to other transport projects give the area's a much better public transport system.
Pete_Cavan wrote: » You see no benefits in upgrades to the rail line which connects Cork to Dublin and Limerick? It is upgrades to existing operational infrastructure so not comparable to the WRC project.
