Cork can emerge as influential leading region
CORK has an opportunity to emerge as an influential, leading Atlantic city in Ireland if major strategic regional infrastructure projects emerge from the National Planning Framework. That’s according to IBEC, the group that represents Irish business.
The claim comes in the IBEC submission to the public consultation on the National Planning Framework, which calls for an ambitious, long-term planning and investment strategy for Ireland to address the growing imbalance between the region and the greater Dublin economy. The submission was formulated through extensive consultation with businesses throughout Cork city and county.
IBEC Cork Regional Director Peter O’Shaughnessy said: “Inter-regional connectivity, by means of motorway between major urban centres, is vital in facilitating the co-ordination of development across wider regions. Connecting cities and their regions will help spread the economic and population growth which is currently concentrated on the east coast.
“For Cork, completion of the M20 Cork-Limerick motorway connecting second and third cities is a key enabler to the overall growth of the entire region. Enhancing the national road network including the N28 Cork-Ringaskiddy, the N25 Cork-Rosslare, the N8/ N25 Dunkettle interchange and the N22 Ballyvourney-Macroom would greatly enhance the capacity of the region to attract and retain FDI.”
Connectivity enhancements are part of a wider investment strategy aimed at catalysing economic development of the wider region. The IBEC submission outlines the significant opportunity that exists for Cork to develop and position itself as a leader of Atlantic cities. Relocation of the Port of Cork to Ringaskiddy, the rejuvenation of the city centre and the development of Cork harbour and Cork Docklands are just some of the major infrastructure projects cited in the submission.
The new plan must be underpinned by increased State investment, in context of the Public Capital Programme, in transport, broadband, water services, health, education and infrastructure. This would have the knock on effect of increasing productivity, employment opportunities, and improved standards of living by reducing transport costs, connecting regions to cities, and attracting more private sector investment.