Oylegate to Rosslare motorway ‘vital’ with Brexit on the horizon

WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL is advancing plans for the Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour motorway, which could be speeded up due to Brexit.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council meeting, Cllr Lisa McDonald called for the motorway to be included in the National Planning Framework 2040.

Cllr McDonald said: ‘In light of Brexit it’s absolutely vital we get this included, particularly in the context of us seemingly hurtling towards some form of chaos.’

She said there have been accidents at Kyle Cross. ‘That problem probably continues all the way as far as Rosslare Europort to a greater or lesser extent.’

Cllr McDonald said there are also problems at the ring roads outside Wexford town and particularly at the bridge at Ferrycarrig.

Cllr George Lawlor seconded the motion, saying there is no mention of any infrastructural project for County Wexford in the plan, apart from the New Ross and Enniscorthy bypasses. ‘The port is of vital economic importance to this county and I believe the construction of the Oylegate to Rosslare motorway would be a terrific enhancement for the economy of this county.’

Cllr Pip Breen said the framework is only a discussion document, adding that Tipperary, Limerick, West Cork and Kerry county councils have all objected to it.

Director of Services for Roads Eamonn Hore said it has been stressed to Transport Infrastructure Ireland that the county is not getting its fair share.

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said the Oylegate section was meant to be added on to the bypass.

‘I think it’s unfortunate that the Enniscorthy motorway didn’t bypass Oyelgate. The traffic outside Willie Kavanagh’s door will be nothing short of horrendous. If the road is not finished to Rosslare it won’t be fit for purpose. We have a strong case to object.’

Cllr Kavanagh said the road will be eight to ten years down the line. He asked what plan Wexford County Council has for junctions at Kyle Cross and Oylegate, saying the former is deadly.

Mr Hore said the council received funding last year for the first phase of the motorway to Rosslare.

‘We will receive funding next year to bring it up to stage four for final design. After that we may be able to do individual bits without comprising the whole design.’

The council will progress reducing the route corridor from 200m to 75m. Mr Hore said this means the council cannot do ‘little bits’ now along the N11 at Kyle Cross, as works have to be designed to Transport Infrastructure Ireland standards.

He has presented the case to the organisation for the motorway and the Transport Infrastructure Ireland official committed to advancing it to the design stage.

Mr Hore said the section of the middle of the proposed motorway does not meet the cost benefit analysis.

‘There are inter-government departments meeting over Rosslare regarding Brexit as the road in to Rosslare will become critical for agricultural checks and customs so they will be factoring in how to orientate that so that section of road could be done much earlier. There is a commitment there to advance this project to go through the processes.’

Cllr McDonald said: ‘Pressure needs to be brought to bear.’

The motion was unanimously supported.