Business sector seek tunnel to Britain

THREE out of four Irish business people believe a tunnel linking Ireland’s road network to Britain and mainland Europe is important for Irish business.

A survey of 600 senior business executives has revealed high levels of dissatisfaction with the rate of Government investment in all forms of transport.

The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland yesterday called for the speedy delivery of the Government’s recent Transport 21 plan in order to reduce costs placed on business by inadequate transport infrastructure.

The CCI’s Transport Users’ Survey 2005 highlighted how a majority of business leaders believe there is inadequate Government investment in the road network, particularly on non-national roads.

Almost three-quarters of respondents believed a tunnel linking Ireland’s road network to Britain and mainland Europe was important for Irish business.

“In order to maintain our role in the global economy, it is imperative that Ireland’s transport infrastructure is developed to a world-class standard,” said CCI chief executive John Dunne. “Although motor tax income has been ring-fenced for local authorities, it is being used to soak up shortfalls in local government funding rather than being spent on non-national roads.”

Mr Dunne said the main concern for business leaders was the need for the upgrading of roads, although the survey had also shown concern about investment in ports, airports, railways and public transport systems.

The CCI also criticised the Government for not providing a start and completion date for the proposed Atlantic Roadway linking Letterkenny to Waterford.

Seven out of 10 companies claimed that traffic congestion had impacted negatively on their business over the past 12 months. Over a third had delivered goods late to their clients due to the problem, while 41% were late for a meeting with a client as a result of traffic congestion.

However, the survey showed that the business community is divided on tolling. One-third regard tolls as inconvenient, while a similar figure support their use.

The CCI has also called for the Government to seriously consider the construction of an undersea tunnel between Ireland and Wales to be completed by 2030.

Mr Dunne admitted such a tunnel represented “a big idea” but noted that exporters were currently dependent on air and ferry services, which experience disruption such as the current Irish Ferries dispute, for the transport of goods abroad.