Fitzgerald calls for rethink on Northern Distributor Road

A call for a rethink by the Government and local authorities on the need for the controversial second phase of the Northern Distributor Road was requested this week by the Deputy Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald.

In a statement to The Clare Champion, ­Councillor Fitzgerald agreed with the local protest groups that the proposed route, costing an estimated €100 million, “defies all logic” and argued their case is backed up by looking at the drastic ­situation of the Limerick Tunnel.

“It’s unbelievable that the taxpayer has to compensate the Limerick Tunnel operators for a traffic shortfall.

If vehicles are refusing to use the tunnel why the need to spend €100m of borrowed money on a project that now seems unnecessary and would make us look like spendthrifts?” he asked.

However, senior engineer Tom Tiernan pointed out the preferred route has been accepted and the next step from a public involvement point of view is the procedure to vary the Clare and Limerick County Development plans.

“Members of the public and county councillors will have an opportunity to air their views during that ­process, which will probably get underway shortly,” he said.

Councillor Fitzgerald said it appears that the ­authorities have chosen the longest and most expensive route, which will cut the village of Parteen in half, knock houses, “not to ­mention the potential for flooding and farms right along to Annacotty and Lisnagry becoming unviable as the road cuts through the land”.

“There may be little media talk or public mention of the proposed road at present, but local people are still ­apprehensive as they see their semi-rural life being mortally threatened from a social and environmental viewpoint.

“As far as I and groups and individuals in the area are concerned this highly excessively expensive road is not fit for purpose and could become a white elephant like the Limerick Tunnel.

“I am appealing on behalf of the people living along the route for the relevant authorities to reconsider their position and not spend any more money needlessly, it is not too late” concluded Councillor Fitzgerald.