Decision on M11 route delayed until June 18

DESPITE the project already having endured a number of delays, it’s been revealed that the announcement of the chosen route corridor for the new M11 Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour scheme is to be delayed yet again until June 18.

The selection of a route had been delayed on a couple of occasions already, and when a deadline was missed in January, councillors were assured that the route would be revealed in ‘late February or early March’. However, another deadline has come and gone and land and homeowners situated on the seven provisional routes are none the wiser as to whether they will be impacted.

With the initial project going back over ten years, some people living in what were identified as potential routes have been unable to sell or build onto their properties, effectively having their land ‘sterilised’ for a long period of time.

‘We’re looking at this project for the best part of a quarter of a century now, it’s beyond frustrating and embarrassing for the members of the council now. Last week I was told it would be May, now it’s June, we need an exact date and we must adhere to it,’ said County Council Chairman Ger Carthy at the county council meeting yesterday (Monday).

A newsletter detailing the reasons for the delay is to be sent to all those living in the affected area, as Sean Dobbs of Wexford County Council confirmed.

‘This newsletter describes the complexity of the challenges which have prolonged the process. An Post will deliver a copy of this to all the homes affected,’ he said.

However, Cllr Lisa McDonald feared that this latest delay may push residents to issue court proceedings against the council.

‘These people have had their homes sterilised since mid-2006, if this was the UK they would have a finite time to deliver line of road to the people in the corridor, it’s only a matter of time until it happens here, it’s unconstitutional.

‘If it’s not delivered in June we’ll have egg on our faces and it’s going to trigger a court action.’

Meanwhile, Deputy Verona Murphy, who has been attended all local council meetings since late last year, was reprimanded by the Cathaoirleach for posting information regarding the new M11 on Facebook during the meeting.

‘During the meeting one of our TDs has been posting information regarding the M11 on Facebook, I would ask that they adhere to the rules of the meeting like everyone else. It’s disappointing, this is the fourth time I’ve dealt with it since I became Cathaoirleach, three times with councillors and now with a TD,’ said Cllr Carthy.

Cllr Davy Hynes was equally disappointed to see that this information had been shared online before the meeting had concluded.

‘I’ve seen people severely reprimanded for doing similar in these meetings, anyone attending these meetings should observe the rules and regulations,’ he said.

Threatening to limit the numbers of people allowed to attend future meetings, the Cathaoirleach said if those viewing the meeting weren’t able to refrain from sharing information he would have no option but to hold them ‘in-committee’ from now on.