Calls for development of Dungarvan bypass as town set to go ‘beyond its capacity’
The issue was raised by Cllr Tom Cronin at the June plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council
Calls have been made for the development of a Dungarvan bypass, with the town set to go “beyond its capacity” in the near future.
The issue was raised by Fianna Fáil councillor Tom Cronin at the June plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
Cllr Cronin said: “About 10 or 12 years or maybe a bit longer than that, there were surveys done for an outdoor bypass for our main town in the county, which is Dungarvan.
“There were three routes chosen at that time and then it was narrowed down to one route.
“It seems to me that the whole thing has been shelved because I’ve heard nothing about it in the past ten years on this route that was chosen.”
He concluded by asking whether plans for the by-pass had been “thrown in the bin”.
In response to Cllr Cronin, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes outlined the current status of plans for the bypass.
Mr Hynes said: “In relation to the Dungarvan bypass, we have a line there and that’s reserved.
“It’s my view that that should be progressed and could be progressed in the shorter term as well and that’s needed from a safety point of view but it’s also needed to ensure Dungarvan can grow as it needs to grow.
“As we roll out more housing developments in Dungarvan, the N25 through Dungarvan will be beyond its capacity to deal with that traffic.
“So the Dungarvan bypass as well needs to move along with the rest of the N25.”
He went on to outline the political barriers that must be overcome before the road can be delivered.
“So, I suppose look, from our point of view, I think this is a political decision.
“TII have indicated that politically, it needs to be put on their agenda and it can [go] from there.
“As an executive, we will continue to do our bit and we encourage you, from a political point of view, to do similar.”