Coonagh Knockalisheen Distributor Road

The Need for the Project

Limerick City Council has identified the need for the provision of a distributor road along the north west of the city extending from Coonagh Roundabout on the N18 northwards to the Knockalisheen Road. The proposed scheme will also provide a link road to Moyross and an upgrade of the Knockalisheen Road.

The need for the scheme has been further identified as an important aspect of the current Moyross regeneration programme which has recommended that a distributor road from Coonagh Roundabout northwards including an access road to the Moyross area be progressed as a matter of urgency. The proposed Coonagh/Knockalisheen Distributor Road is approximately 3km in length.

The knockalisheen Road upgrade will involve improvement to a suitable urban road standard and include a widening to accommodate footpaths and cycle lanes. The upgrade of the Knockalisheen Road is over a length of approximately 1.7km.

Progress to Date

An initial study area was identified and a constraints study was undertaken which identified all factors to be considered in the development of the scheme. From identification of the constraints a number of route options for the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road were developed. The preferred route was then chosen based on consideration of the following environmental and engineering factors:

• Existing development, land use and planning;
• Engineering and topography;
• Utilities;
• Geology and hydrogeology;
• Socio economic data;
• Flora, fauna and fisheries;
• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage;
• Landscape and Visual Aspects.

What Happens Next?

Views expressed as a result of this public consultation will be considered during the further development of the preliminary design of the scheme and during the advancement of the statutory planning procedures which may involve the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement which would be submitted to An Bord Pleanala for determination.

Map of Coonagh Knockalisheen Distributor Road.

Coonagh Knockalisheen distributor road, Drawing

Previous Post

Limerick developer in plan to create 3,000 new jobs (Limerick Leader)

By Mike Dwane

UP to 3,000 jobs could ultimately be created a stone’s throw from Moyross in an ambitious plan by city developer Michael Daly and Fordmount Properties.

It follows one of the most significant property deals in the city in recent years – handled by Pat Kearney and Rooney Auctioneers – in which Fordmount paid in the region of €20 million for over 80 acres surrounding Delmege House.

Tax incentives to attract investment and employment into disadvantaged areas of Limerick were a central plank of the John Fitzgerald report and Limerick Regeneration chief executive Brendan Kenny told Clare county councillors this week that over 2,000 jobs could be created on an industrial estate to be built on the Delmege lands.

And former Limerick CBS student Mr Daly this Thursday confirmed the plans to the Limerick Leader. “We are very much in the early stages of this project but we are very optimistic this could prove a pivotal stone in the whole regeneration project,” he said.

Image Limerick city by DerHur

Objections to relief road (Limerick Independent)

Written by Rachael Finucane

RESIDENTS on Meelick’s Knocklisheen Road have strong objections to two of the proposed route options for the Northern Relief Road from the Coonagh Roundabout to Knocklisheen.

Cllr Cathal Crow—a representative for south-east Clare—said that while the residents “understand and appreciate that the Northern Relief Road is a necessary piece of infrastructure”, they have decided to make a submission to Limerick City Hall.

Some of the key concerns include the potentially negative “division of lands” of three local farmers; the division of the parish because four houses would be to the south of the proposed road whilst the rest of the Meelick community would remain to the north and that there would be access issues with a new proposed industrial estate.

Cllr Crowe said that residents also feel that there could be a flood risk posed by the works because the “construction of the N18 Ennis bypass resulted in the unnecessary flooding of several acres of agricultural land. Residents have real concerns that the proposed road and roundabout could interfere with the local water table and create a new flood plain”.

He said that several local clubs including Meelick GAA club and Parkville Utd AFC have been negotiating with the Department of Defence to acquire departmental lands for recreational use and this process could be “severely hampered” by the road.

Residents also believe that there will be pollution and interference with the local Special Area of Conservation and several local families feel that “the building of a road so close to their homes would have both short and long term detrimental effects” on the “health, safety and wellbeing” of their children.

“I consider it crucial that the relief road route does not interfere with residential areas and people’s homes. I am also adamant that the road route should adversely affect those involved in farming. I would hope that where possible the road route could follow the linear boundaries of land holdings,” he added

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.

Blues plan €2m training base (Limerick Leader)

By COLM KINSELLA

LIMERICK 37 have announced ambitious plans to develop a multi-million euro training centre on a six and-a-half acre site at Knockalisheen.

First Division Limerick 37 have reached an agreement with the Department of Defence to secure a long-term lease on the site.

The innovative project is expected to cost between €1.5 million and €2 million.
It is envisaged that the state-of-the-art training centre will include two-full-sized pitches, one of which will be an all-weather facility.

The exciting centre will also boast a number of five-a-side cages and car parking facilities for up 60 vehicles.

The site identified also includes an existing house that will be converted into offices, dressing room facilities and lecture rooms which will be used for coaching seminars and courses that will be run by Limerick 37 in coming years. The site of the new training centre will be accessible from the soon to be completed Knockalisheen Link Road and the club will officially take possession of the site at the start of next month.

Following this, the club will present their plans for planning approval to the local authority.
The project is expected to be at least part-funded by the FAI under a scheme the association operates to assist clubs seeking to improve their facilities.

Club chiefs are also hoping to receive funding from the Department of Sport.

The terms of the lease agreement agreed with the Department of Defence will allow Limerick 37 to realise a key element of a long-term plan for the development of the club which was put in place by owner Jack McCarthy and chief executive officer Andrew Mawhinney when they came on board at the beginning of the season.

The FAI welcomed news of the lease agreement and it is expected that the association will work closely with the club to develop the facilities.

Limerick 37 CEO Andrew Mawhinney said the planned facility at Knockalisheen was a landmark moment in the development of the club: “Having our own purpose-built training and administrative centre will allow us to provide our management and players of all our squads with their own modern training facilities that are necessary to advance themselves on the pitch as well as being able to identify and develop the abundance of soccer talent that there is in the region.

“As important is the fact that we will also now be in a position to further strengthen the club’s financial footing by creating revenue for the club on a year round basis through the renting of the all weather facilities to local clubs, schools and companies.

“This new means of revenue generation will allow us to further develop the club along the lines we have set out and for this end we must compliment Minister of Defence Willie O’Dea TD for all his assistance in making this project a reality.

“From a business perspective this announcement will ensure an even greater level of confidence in the club and it is now our intention to build on this by pursuing our stated aim of securing a full-time home for the club’s first team in the spiritual home of Limerick soccer, the Markets Field.” 🙂

Minister of Defence Willie O’Dea said the enthusiasm within Limerick for the further development of senior soccer was to be welcomed.

Minister O’Dea said he was delighted that Limerick FC were able to secure the site and when it was developed it would prove to be a tremendous resource not just for the local community, but for all of Limerick.

Confirmation of the planned development comes in the run-up to Limerick 37’s fundraising night, ‘An Evening with Giovanni Trapattoni’, in the Castletroy Park Hotel on Thursday, October 16.

Suddenly this once backwater part of the woods is a hive of activity!

I suppose political correctness will require “Limerick 37” to change their name to operate from here. What about “Banner City” or “Clare Hills United” to keep Cllr Cathal Crow happy. 😉

Below Knockalisheen Camp.

Wow that road is absaloutly vital for the city as a whole and not just Caherdavin. The infastructure, thanks to no co- operation between Limerick and Clare country council. The city as spread into the hills with no adequate infastructure.

Waterford city has a city dual lane distributor road already built to the south of the city and it links to the new M25 bypass. The whole south side of Waterford is now properly linked to major routes. Industries and residential areas are now all connected as a result of this needed road.

The coonagh road should of being built 20 years ago, not now. The arterial roads are choked and will still be choked after the bypass opens up even!

Fu*ck the objections, those hillbilys pfftt. Its 2008 get it built! This route is vital and needed for this growing city. The Caherdavin region will suffer more, if they pay attention to hillybillys

Doubt casted over future of Northern Relief Road (Limerick Leader)

By Petula Martyn

LANDOWNERS in South East Clare do not know if their land will be purchased by CPO now that serious doubt has been cast over the future of the Limerick Northern Relief Road.

The road was earmarked to run from Coonagh through part of South East Clare to the Dublin Road, as well as providing access to the University of Limerick.

Funding of €100,000 originally approved to facilitate the planning of the distributor road
has been withdrawn following the announcement in last month’s budget that €150 million will be cut from the non-national roadworks programme for 2009.

Fine Gael councillor, John McInerney from Clonlara, accurately forecast that the second portion of the road from Knockalisheen to the University would not happen for 10 years.

Fianna Fail councillor, Cathal Crowe, said he will be sitting down with Council officials and members of UL to try and find a way around it as the money has been axed.

“The road from Coonagh Cross to Knockalisheen seems to be ok as it is funded by Limerick City Council,” Cllr Crowe said.

Labour councillor, Pascal Fitzgerald, said “landowners don’t know if their land is going to be taken or their homes”.

“It leaves these people in limbo and it’s very hard for them to plan for the future,” he said.

Cllr Fitzgerald said the actual route had not yet been decided on and he regarded a deferral or abandonment of this project “as a severe blow as this road has been planned for some ten to twelve years”.

“Traffic congestion is now at a critical point going into Limerick with back roads through South-East Clare being used as rat runs. As a result of this huge increase in traffic volume major damage is being caused to secondary roads and now with the cutbacks will these be repaired?” he asked.

This road is vital to open up the Northwest of the city. The roads in this part of this city is inadequate and not very accessible for traffic to circulate through the suburbs.

Compulsory Purchase Order and Environmental Impact Statement (Limerick City Council)

An impressive piece of road infrastructure.

A new dual carriageway with roundabouts linking Ennis Road, Coonagh Shopping Centre, Cratloe Road, Moyross Link Road, Castle Park and Knockalisheen Road.

Plus a new Moyross Link Road and an upgraded Knockalisheen Road.

This scheme is welcomed and much needed. It will open up more land on the north side for development.:)

The road is a 4 lane divided carriageway something like the Waterford southern ring road I guess? It could be better spec imo.

The first roundabout encountered in either direction should not exist. Despite the necessity, the other roundabouts mid-route are sufficiently close that even without the superfluous ones either end, the route will not be that free-flowing. Having one for the shopping centre and presumably some future development is really pushing it. Given people can turn back at the other intermediate roundabouts, why not just have T junctions either side of the dual-carriageway (no break in the middle, left turn only) where the 2nd and 2nd last roundabouts are?

Looks great, and hopefully it will be started soon.

Lets hope that this relief road will continue east and join up with the Corbally Road.

Information posted on the Clare Co Co website.

Limerick Northern Distributor Road – Constraints study public information notice
Date issued: 12/11/10

Clare County Council in conjunction with Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council has commenced the planning process to advance the development of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road and associated infrastructure from a location in the vicinity of the eastern end of the proposed Coonagh – Knockalisheen Strategic Route to a tie-in with the M7 or the R445 (Old N7) in Limerick.

http://www.clarecoco.ie/roads-and-transport/news/limerick-northern-distributor-road-constraints-study-public-information-notice.html

Here images of the Coonagh – Knockalisheen Distributor Road again.

Larger images 1 , 2

Limerick Northern Distributor Road Limerick City Council

Need for the Scheme

The need for the scheme was identified in ‘The Limerick Planning, Land Use and Transportation Study’ for Greater Limerick prepared by Clare County Council, Tipperary North County Council and Limerick City and County Councils. The study identified many strategic issues that required consideration in the future planning of the region including the need for the provision of a northern distributor road around Limerick City and a new bridge crossing over the Shannon to the north of Limerick City.

The Fitzgerald Report ‘Addressing the issues of Social Exclusion in Moyross and other disadvantaged areas of Limerick City’ (April 2007) has recommended that a distributor road to the north of Limerick City be progressed to develop economic activity and end the isolation of this deprived area.
The various local and county development plans published by Clare County Council and Limerick City and County Councils make provision for the delivery of the proposed road scheme.

Scheme Objectives

The proposed scheme will provide a northern distributor road around Limerick City, improving accessibility to the city from County Clare and relieving pressure on the existing river crossings in the City Centre. The road will provide significant improvement in connectivity between different areas along the northern fringe of the city, allowing people living in residential areas to the east of Limerick to access employment areas in the west of Limerick and vice versa.

The Limerick Northern Distributor Road will promote balanced regional development in Limerick County and South Clare. After delivery of the proposed road it is hoped that economic development will be encouraged as improved access attracts investment to the area.

The fundamental objective of the scheme is, therefore, to provide a transport link between the eastern and western fringes of Limerick City and a link to South County Clare to facilitate economic development in this region.

Hmmm . . . . . and the future building boom in the northern fringes of Limerick City as a result of this infrastructure will be planned in Ennis Town too.

It would be a crying shame to route that road to the Groody Roundabout. The riverbank from the Corbally Falls to the Plassey Falls is a natural amenity asset for the greater Limerick city area, another vehicular bridge crossing here would spoil it.

Larger images 1 , 2 , 3

In my opinion the only viable docking point with the Dublin road is the Cappamore junction (docking point E). All of the other roundabouts are already quite congested and located in relatively built up areas. Adding a dual carriageway to the mix would be a disaster.

I think that the route should be as follows: Route A2 (purple), B1 (green) as far as D1 (blue), D1 as far as E1 (red). This route would keep the road as far from the river and canal as possible.

Emerging Preferred Route Corridor

The preferred route corridor may be subject to change as a result of further investigations including geotechnical land and environment surveys.

Together with a review of local severance and accommodation issues.

See press release (Limerick City Council)

Thread jump from Park Canal

@bjg wrote:

Incidentally, what will the new road do to the Limerick Tunnel’s revenues — and the compensation to be paid by the NRA? bjg

Good question and I wonder what grade will Standard & Poor then give to the senior debt of €660m for the Limerick Tunnel?

Larger image

Proposals for Limerick road criticised

FRANK McDONALD, Environment Editor

A PLANNED new dual carriageway in Limerick would involve “an obtrusive and elevated roadway” over a stretch of the river Shannon’s floodplain, local residents have claimed.
The proposed highway, which is designed for up to 30,000 vehicles a day, would run from the old Dublin-Limerick road, then north of the University of Limerick, crossing the river Shannon near Ardnacrusha and then onwards via Parteen to Knockalisheen.

There, it would link up with the first phase of the 25km northern distributor road, which was approved by An Bord Pleanála last September to run from Knockalisheen to Coonagh. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar last month pledged €2 million in funding towards its cost.

Residents of both Clonlara and Parteen in Co Clare have criticised elements of the planned development.
“Although the road will impact severely on the local environment and community, we are concentrating on the madness of building any structure across this important floodplain,” the Cappavilla, Garraun, Shravokee interest group, based in Clonlara, said to The Irish Times.

“Have we learned anything from the excesses of the Celtic Tiger years?” the group asked.

Residents of Parteen said the proposed road would “split the village in two” and called for alternatives that would “ensure the safety of the young and elderly” in gaining access to church, school, shops and recreational areas.

The Environmental Community of Parteen has also complained that Clare County Council was denying the public access to a “constraints study” carried out by consultant engineer Roughan O’Donovan on behalf of the council and its partners in Limerick city and county. Not even councillors have had access to this study, which was prepared some time ago but is not being released because it is still officially in “draft” form – and therefore not required to be made public under the Freedom of Information Act.

Describing it as a “work in progress”, acting administrative officer Barry Keating told objectors that the study “will continue to be in ‘draft’ until after the preferred route corridor is confirmed”, as its findings could be “impacted upon” by public consultations.

“In any case,” Mr Keating added, “the purpose of this consultation is to obtain and understand the observations and concerns of the general public in relation to the emerging preferred route corridor rather than in relation to route options which were previously consulted upon.”

Senior council engineer Tom Tiernan said that “extensive survey work, investigation, fact-finding, analysis, assessment and public consultation has gone into the previous two key stages of the process” of defining a preferred route.
“It’s important that the focus in submissions is on the emerging preferred route corridor and not on what went before,” he said. “This way, we and our consultants can understand and appreciate much more clearly what the genuine concerns of the people are.”

Objectors have also said the proposed road “is home to a protected species of frog”. Today is the deadline for making submissions on the emerging preferred route.

© 2012 The Irish Times

Funding released for phase one. It will mostly go towards land acquisition.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business/local-business/limerick-council-gets-4-million-for-distributor-road-land-purchase-1-4732648