02/09/09

Cork East Labour TD Sean Sherlock has said there is no justification for delaying construction of the new M20 motorway between Cork and Limerick.

 

Responding to news today that the project will not proceed as planned due to a lack of funding, Deputy Sherlock said, "It makes no sense to shelve a project of this nature given the infrastructure deficit that exists within this region. There is no reason why this cannot be financed over a period of time. If it is a Public Private Partnership there will still be construction companies interested in taking part, notwithstanding the economic downturn.

 

 

"The M20 was due to replace the inadequate N20, which has seen several fatal accidents in recent years and as such should be a priority,

 

 

"Furthermore, rather than shelving the project due to the downturn I believe that now is the time to invest. If done now, this motorway can be constructed at a cost that is significantly less than four or five years ago, or even twelve months ago. There is no justification in stalling this project now particularly when people are crying out for jobs. Notwithstanding any problems with the route planning, everybody accepts this is something that needs to go ahead.

 

 

"I believe there now should be a meeting between the NRA and the Minister who should make a statement on this issue. He can not hive this off to the NRA and he needs to take political responsibility. This is a National Primary Route. If the National Spatial Strategy and Atlantic Corridor are to have any relevance then this project has to get the green light.

 

 

"If the M20 is delayed by a number of years, land values will increase and this will end up costing more money. Any decision to delay now is symptomatic of this Government's short term thinking."

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