cgcsb wrote: » Although the M20 might be the most important unfunded project from the NRA's point of view, remember that Irish Rail and the RPA also have dibs on the dept of transport purse strings, and with congestion in Dublin worsening, DART underground goes up the list and peak hour congestion in Mallow Co. Cork goes down the list for quite valid economic/social reasons other than Dublin bias. When Irish Rail get's it's €4bn to start tunnelling, that's when the M20 has a hope of going ahead.
Hogzy wrote: » Fair point but id imagine the Dart Underground will only affect certain areas of Dublin. Its not going to relieve all the congestion in the city. Where as the M20/Northern Ring will serve the entire City of Cork, all towns between Cork and Limerick as well as the Clare/Limerick area. I would think there would be significantly more economic advantages to the M20 project than the Dart Underground when cost/time is taken into account
dubhthach wrote: » Simple solution build both
irishfeen wrote: » Being brutally honest they should - infrastructural building is the very best thing we did in the good times. It is a very effective way of creating primary jobs and spin off jobs to an area ... Cork is now 2hrs and 20min drive from Dublin - our improved infrastructure isn't the only reason why exports are doing so well but it plays a massive part in being able to transfer goods between the 3 biggest cities in the country Cork - Dublin - Belfast with ease. At peak times Cork to Limerick could take an hour and a half - absolutely ridiculous in 2014.
dubhthach wrote: » Don't forget Cork to Galway either, with M18/M17 about to start if the M20 is put in place you have Motorway/dualler all way between the two, it's easier to get to Dublin from Galway then it is to get to Cork.
zulutango wrote: » Can somebody spare me the bother of trawling back through the thread, and give us an update on where this project is at the moment? Are we looking at construction starting in 2015 or is it very much on the long finger?
SummerOfSam wrote: » hope it does get the go ahead soon! Sorry if this has already been answered but what is the ballpark figure to construct the M20?
omicron wrote: » I think €800m is the figure been given.
irishfeen wrote: » I have heard though landowners being contacted again recently over the past few months but whether that is any indication I do not know.
Calina wrote: » Not all landowners have been contacted recently.
irishfeen wrote: » Yep I think it's in that ball park alright - the main problem of course is that along that stretch we don't have any senior ministers ... Sean Sherlock and Tom Barry aren't exactly top of the tree with political influence.
zulutango wrote: » But sure it should be in the interests of politicians in Limerick and Cork cities too, or maybe there's few votes for them in it? You'd think if a Limerick City or Cork City politician was able to say that they delivered the motorway between the two cities, the electorate would respond positively. Or is that expecting too much of the electorate?
SummerOfSam wrote: » Yeah, you would think as much as it's seen as a local issue by some, that the politician's of Limerick and Cork should do more to frame it in the context of improving access to national infrastructure. For an extra 800 million and when the M17-18 is complete. You will have Motorway/DC access that joins together 3 cities (Galway - Limerick - Cork) and 2 regional airports (Shannon and Cork) With new roads to Foynes and Ringaskiddy in the planing pipeline, it will also connect 2 major sea ports. (I think these will be EU funded? so no cost to exchequer) A big plus that isn't often stated is that it will allow far easier commuting options between Clare/Limerick/Cork for those that choose to do so. How many times have people not pursued a job position because it's just too far/expensive to travel? I have even heard Shannon airport takes up a lot of business from Cork when it's fogged in! It will allow these 3 cities to collaborate together and achieve more synergy and act as a counterbalance to Dublin which has become unbelievably expensive to live in, compared to these 3 cities. Set the people free! :-D More mobility all around then. To think that for 800 million it will achieve all this and more, especially when you take safety considerations into account also. I currently can't think of any other project in the country that would deliver as much bang for your buck. If we can spend 4 billion on Dart Underground (badly needed too by the way) what's an extra 800 million? :-D
RikkFlair wrote: » Theres a diversion off the n20 around Buttevant currently, for anyone heading between Limk and Cork, maybe allow extra time for your journey. Turns off south of Ballyhea and goes via Doneraile and comes back on road at Newtwopothouse. Not sure what they are doing around Buttevant, just saw a sign for Major Roadworks.
Pete_Cavan wrote: » Has there ever been any talk of taking enough land in the CPO to have a rail line run along side the motorway between Patrickswell and Charleville? Even if the rail line wasnt built at the same time, if enough land was taken and bridges designed to accommodate the rail line, it would allow for decent rail link between the two cities. If it is not allowed for the M20 plans it will never happen.
Hogzy wrote: » Id say when the motorway is built the journey times will be so quick that a bus would be a quicker and less expensive option between Cork and Limerick.
irishfeen wrote: » There should of course also be plans to develop a high speed rail link between Cork - Dublin - Belfast akin to the Manchester to London route being built in the UK... of course a Luas system in Cork. We cannot fall behind the rest of Europe in terms of infrastructure, our long term economic survival will need a world class transport system.
zulutango wrote: » How feasible would a LUAS be in Cork? I'd like to think that Limerick could do with a single line connecting Castletroy - city centre - Raheen
