Re: Re: Coonagh Knockalisheen Distributor Road

Objections roll to 30m road plan (Limerick Post)

Will give direct access to tunnel.

THE construction of a new road – the Northern Relief Road, to run from Coonagh Roundabout to the Knockalisheen Road, will provide access to a new, 80-acre industrial estate, as part of the regeneration plans for Moyross

However, already objections are coming from the residents of Knockalisheen and Meelick, claiming that it would result in the splitting of the land of one farmer and the cutting off of the lands of two other farmers from their main farm buildings.

Councillors were this week given a presentation on the proposed route by Limerick City Council senior engineer, John O’Shaughnessy.

“This new three kilometre road will provide a link into Moyross, improve road safety, will provide a junction to Cratloe road and Knockalisheen and will be 30 metres wide and likely to be a dual carriageway, with possibly a roundabout to Cratloe road and the business park.

“The new road is essential for the regeneration of Moyross and will give it direct access to the new tunnel crossing and the city centre. It will open up lands for business enterprises and employment, as well as educational possibilities.

“It will form part of the main distributor road and will improve access to the University of Limerick and should represent a major financial investment into the city,” said Mr O’Shaughnessy.

The councillors were told that the project, estimated to cost in the region of 30million euro, and which has still to be officially approved, may require an oral hearing, as part of the planning process.

“Land acquisition and Compulsory Purchase Orders will commence in October, this will take about six months and the tender process will take a further six months, with construction, hopefully to commence in 2009-10”.

Referring to the proposals to build an industrial estate on a section of land, Fianna Fail councillor, Cathal Crowe said that while a development of this scale would require access to a major road, the only junction being proposed on the Northern Relief road is several hundred metres north of the proposed industrial estate.

Emphasising that the residents appreciate that the road is a necessary piece of infrastructure, the councillor said that a main concern they have is that the new road and roundabout would interfere with the local water table and create a new flood plain in the Knockalisheen area, which is among the lowest lying in County Clare. They are calling on the engineers to undertake a flood impact assessment of the local lands.

Defence Minister, Willie O’Dea told the Limerick Post this week that although he had initially been in favour of Department of Defence lands at Knockalisheen being used for an equestrian centre for local youth, the land will now be made available to the regeneration agency for sports pitches.

Other objections that the residents will present to City Hall, centre on the area’s ecology and effects on the area of conservation.