Funding boost for planning of Oylegate bypass

WHILE work on the M11 Enniscorthy bypass has been continuing at some pace ahead of its planned opening this summer, plans are already afoot for the next stage of the road network it seems.

Oylegate based councillor Willie Kavanagh last week welcomed the news that Wexford County Council had been granted €800,000 in funding to progress planning and design work on an extension of the M11 between Oylegate and Rosslare Harbour.

Initially, many questioned the decision to halt the M11 bypass North of Oylegate and there were fears that Oylegate would become somewhat of a bottleneck once the new stretch of road opens. However, with the latest funding allocated, it seems like plans are in place to bypass Oylegate further down the line.

While some business owners in the village previously expressed their opposition to a bypass of Oylegate, Cllr Kavanagh, who also owns The Slaney Inn there, has previously stated it is vital.

‘I welcome the news that the TII has granted €800,000 in funding to Wexford County Council,’ he said. ‘It’s absolutely vital that the design plans protect the future of Oylegate. There’s a lot of uncertainty about what will happen when the Enniscorthy bypass opens, making Oylegate the only urban centre between Belfast and Rosslare Europort. Advancing plans to extend the bypass from Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour will help to allay concerns.’