Abbeyfeale preferred option
The selection of the preferred bypass routes for Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West has been described by a leading local authority official as “a significant achievement.”
Addressing the public launch of both options yesterday afternoon, Brian Kennedy, Director of Travel and Trans-portation with Limerick City and County Council said: “To be in a position to publish the preferred option for both projects before the end of the year, notwithstanding the ongoing impact of Covid-19 restrictions, is a significant achieve-ment.”
“While being developed as separate projects, these schemes will help to relieve congestion in Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale and enhance regional connectivity.”
“Each of these projects will also improve road safety and provide opportunities to provide safe, segregated Active Travel cycling and walking facilities in and around the towns. The contribution that enhanced public transport services and active travel facilities can make to developing the most sustainable transport solution will also continue to be examined.”
Jacobs Consulting Engineers have been appointed as Technical Advisors to progress the planning and design phases for both schemes.
The Newcastle West bypass will be at the Ardagh (northern) side of the town, while the bypass of Abbeyfeale will run on its southern side.
Limerick City and County Council is working in partnership with Kerry County Council on the bypass of Abbeyfeale.
Details of the options are available on N21NewcastleWest.ie and N21Abbeyfeale.ie, and the closing date for the public display event is Tuesday, December 7th.
It is understood that online information cannot be accessed by everyone. The project team is keen to engage with people throughout the display period.
Information can be requested, and telephone meetings can be booked by calling the booking phone line (087 0573813) until Tuesday week, November 23rd.
A spokesperson explained: “This public information event will describe the work undertaken to date, give information about the option selection process and why the preferred option was selected for each scheme, describe and provide maps of the preferred route option corridors, and outline the programme for next steps in advancing the pro jects.”
Each project is expected to have positive benefits on the urban environments of Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale and will improve the quality of life of commuters and local residents, he added.
“The projects offer oppor tunities to provide safe, segregated cycling and walking facilities and to integrate with the wider active travel networks such as the Limerick Greenway.”
He concluded: “Limerick City and County Council values the opinion of the community on these projects and welcomes observations and com ments from the public and interested parties. The knowledge gained from the engagement will be considered by the project team as part of the next stages of the development of the schemes.”