Congestion in Limerick town ‘gives warning on impact of M20’

TRAFFIC congestion in Croom due to Uisce Eireann works offer a warning of how the town could be impacted by the M20, a councillor has said.

Independent Ireland’s John O’Donoghue says traffic has been “absolutely mental” particularly in the morning and evening peak at the N20 interchange close to the town.

Almost 150 people were in Colaiste Chiarain for a meeting, in which concerns around the Limerick to Cork motorway were shared - and thousands are expected to sign a petition calling on council to change course.

“This is showing the timeliness of the meeting,” sald Cllr O’Donoghue, who organised the event. “This is what we could be looking at in Croom when the junction is gone completely. It’s extremely awkward and extremely busy”.

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The Adare-Rathkeale councillor believes the Limerick to Cork motorway could do long-term damage to Croom’s “infrastructure, economy and quality of life” and wants to see an orbital route built around the town.

As reported by the Leader, he has argued that the existing N20, which bypasses Croom, stopped agricultural vehicles and learner drivers using the town’s streets.

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However, with the existing bypass set to be upgraded to a motorway, it will restrict access to certain vehicles.

This will include people with engine capabilities of 50 cc or less, those which cannot maintain a speed of at least 50 kilometres per hour, plus vehicles with non-inflated tyres.

Additionally pedestrians, cyclists and some tractors / agricultural machinery will not be permitted on the motorway, and it’s sparked fears that Croom’s streets will pick up the slack.

Cllr O’Donoghue organised the meeting, which was addressed by local trader Padraig Broderick, the chairperson of Limerick IFA, Louise Crowley, and Jimmy O’Donnell, the chair of Limerick ICMSA.

Alongside Cllr John O'Donoghue, his brother, the Independent Ireland TD Richard O’Donoghue spoke, as did Minister of State Niall Collins.

Petitions have been placed in businesses in Croom and the surrounding areas, calling on council to deliver a plan which avoids sending “heavy agricultural and commercial vehicles back through the town centre”.

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The petition reads that the community wants to preserve the progress made since the N20 was initially put in place in 2001.

“We are not happy with what is proposed at present. We want some kind of a redraft,” Cllr O’Donoghue confirmed.

“What is proposed, we do not think is beneficial to the town of Croom. It’s not beneficial to the movement of traffic in or around he locality. We want them to give us some kind of alternative. They are taking our bypass and making a motorway out of it. While any day of the week, you’d say a motorway is a great thing, unfortunately here, they are not taking the knock-on expectations into account,” he said.

“They are making one road safe, but making the town of Croom less safe, and the immediate vicinity around Croom is going to be less safe because of it,” added Cllr O’Donoghue..

It is intended the petition will be presented to council in the next 15 days.

A spokesperson for the local authority, which is developing the M20 alongside Cork’s local authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the Department of Transport, responded to a media query from Limerick Live.

They said: “The project team have engaged extensively with property owners, communities, businesses and other stakeholders, through the public display events, in-person meetings, public webinars and the interactive project website during the project development. The project team continues to welcome feedback as we progress to the statutory planning process.”