It looks like a new scheme is on the way as Limerick County Council have started the procurement of consultants for the Foynes to Limerick Road Improvement Scheme.
Think that might be a stretch. Don't you have to have lodged objections during consultation - and also have deep pockets? The latter rules a lot of people out as only recreational objectors can undertake this.
It doesn't matter if it's a recreational objector or a person living in the path of the road - if they can legally delay the road, it's all the same. There's no need for you to have deep pockets if a vested interest or environmental group is willing to cover the bills, as there is no transparency whatsoever behind these campaigns. Who bankrolled the crusade to stop the M28? We know who fronted the campaign, but we have no idea who paid their bills, and probably never will.
Still though, maybe this road will just sail through with no attempt to overturn planning, and Friends of the Irish Environment etc etc will just quietly accede if permission is granted. We'll find out in a few weeks either way.
TII's CEO Peter Walsh was in front of the Oireachtas Transport Committee today.
If ABP approve this during this month, the timeline he outlined was
Q4 2022 - approval from Government to initiate tender process
Q4 2023 - appointing of contractor/conclusion of tender process
late 2026 to mid 2027 - road open to traffic
This is subject to a) ABP approval and b) funding. He noted that the NDP only has €200m or so for funding projects not already under construction between now and 2025. He strongly hinted that funding will be a real constraint in getting this started.
Isn't a lot of the funding coming from the EU?
A maximum of 20% of the cost can be provided by the EU Ten-T scheme.
I've not seen anything to say if the government have applied for funding or what percentage they'll get if they have.
1st October 2027 - Ryder Cup in Adare Manor commences!
A full year from granting permssion to Government approval for tender process. That is extremely slow. The greens will probably slow it down further.
They will be completing the detailed design and tender package in that time, but yes, I'm sure it could be done a bit quicker.
Interesting to know if any major road project has ever completed that process in one year, unlikely.
It took exactly one year for the N5 Ballaghaderren-Scramoge project, and that's kind of the benchmark for speed of project progression in the TII era. One year for this would be wonderful and certainly not to be sniffed at (the other majors ongoing Dunkettle/N22/N5 took far more than one year to jump these hurdles).
There will be no decision from ABP this week - Q1/2022 at the earliest
That's up to another 5 months wait. Absolutely shocking delay.
Whats the source for this?
Are we expecting white smoke on this today or is the rumor of another delay to the decision true?
It is still down for today on ABP website
Still no word, very strange
Whats going on?
ABP are just so short staffed and roads projects have to have Ts crossed and Is dotted so much that any dates they give are hopelessly aspirational. I hate to say it, but it really seems "when its done" is the only answer.
Deferred to end of January 2022
January 28 by this article
A decision by ABP is dependent on the Inspector completing her report for their consideration.
Decision Deferred again, now end of 25 March 2022
Taking the piss now.
According to TII, Limerick Council are working on some elements of the next phase of progressing this in order to offset the project delays caused by the planning system issues.
The Board of ABP have nothing to consider until the Inspector issues her report. As a result, end of March date may also not be met.
Given how understaffed ABP have been for the last few years I'm not surprised by this delay. I think it's also worth looking at the M6 Galway City Ring Road inspector's report and decision. It was throughout. There were external consultants reports. Legal reports. The final order was written in immense detail to ensure a clear reason was provided for all part of the decision. I suspect this was done in preparation for the expected judicial reviews on that project. I only hope the delays here are because ABP are working towards the same throughout standard for this project too.
Decision imminent on Foynes to Limerick Road (limerickpost.ie) Maybe they will keep to this deadline this time?
Collins seems to have inside info the planning inspector has their report complete. 4 weeks for Bord to accept or reject the report maybe
There is nothing "imminent". The Inspector is still writing her report. Watch our for a deferral of a decision until Summer 2022 at this rate.
Alright, calm yourself; it'll get built.
17:05pm: Not good news - just been informed by An Bord Pleanála that a decision on approval of the Adare Bypass (Case# HA91-306146) has been postponed, yet again (5th time), this time until the end of May. I have not seen any media reports on this, as yet.
