€467m motorway – but drivers can’t ‘spend a penny’

ANOTHER 40km of motorway were officially opened yesterday but, despite costing almost half a billion to build, motorists who need to spend a penny will have to hold on for some time more.

The €467 million Carlow-Knocktopher stretch of road, which was unveiled by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, represents the last section of the country’s fourth inter-urban motorway, from Dublin to Waterford.

However, like the other completed motorways between Dublin and Cork, Galway and the north, there are no service areas or rest stops for drivers to visit the toilet or buy something to eat or drink.