Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2023
74. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to the construction of the Northern Distributor Road in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20768/23]
View answerTransport investment in our five cities is guided by the development of metropolitan area transport strategies, including the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS) which was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2022. The strategy was prepared by the NTA in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the cooperation of Iarnród Éireann, and provides a roadmap for sustainable transport in the region over the next 20 years.
In line with the funding commitments in the National Development Plan and following my request to the NTA, the LSMATS does not include proposals for the development of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road.
I believe that the rejuvenation, growth and economic development of Limerick is best met through the prioritised delivery of active travel and public transport infrastructure and services, rather than through an over-emphasis on road-based development. This is central to ensuring that we meet our challenging commitment to deliver a 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and supporting the National Planning Framework (NPF) objective for compact growth.
In my view, proceeding with the Limerick Northern Distributor Road would be contrary to the NPF’s objective of compact growth, would undermine the investment planned in active travel/public transport and would accentuate and continue a dispersed, unsustainable development model in the region. I strongly believe that the focus of transport investment for the region in the coming years should be on improving active travel infrastructure, delivering BusConnects, and adopting a more transport-orientated development approach through the expansion of the rail network. This will allow us to provide a commuter rail system that serves existing and future development.
I look forward to seeing the delivery of much needed transport infrastructure under LSMATS in the coming years to better serve the citizens of the region, improve accessibility and the public realm in a sustainable manner.
