Council to make third attempt for village bypass

After two routes for a bypass of Adare were rejected after years of talks, Limerick County Council is now embarking on a third attempt to get the road project underway.

The village is set to remain a source of stress for thousands of motorists every day, as plans for a bypass are now in chaos, it emerged yesterday.

Plans for a bypass were first drawn up in 2004, but the first route, chosen in 2005, was dropped. A second route was adopted in 2009 and massive sums of money were spent on getting the project started.

However, to the frustration of Limerick County Council, the ready-to-go plan was rejected by An Bord Pleanála in October after all public consultation processes were complete.

A meeting of Limerick County Council was told yesterday that all preparatory work on a bypass must now go back to square one.

A further problem has arisen, in that the council cannot get An Bord Pleanála to give then a ‘steer’ on how best it should proceed with a new plan.

Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Fitzgerald tabled a notice of motion calling on the council to return to the original 2005 route and seek funding to allow this to proceed without delay.

Mr Fitzgerald said Adare’s long tailbacks were now regular Friday occurrences in traffic reports on national and local radio.

County secretary Eugene Griffin said the council did not have the power to unilaterally reinstate the original 2005 plan.

Mr Griffin told the meeting: “Any proposed route for a bypass of Adare can only emerge following a study of all available options in accordance with National Roads Authority’s project management guidelines.

“Following the decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse to sanction the southern route [2009 route] late last year, Limerick County Council sought clarification and a meeting with An Bord Pleanála.

“Unfortunately, the replies received from An Bord Pleanála have not been of any particular assistance in guiding the local authority as how to proceed.

The council is now firmly of the opinion that the scheme must be reactivated as soon as possible, commencing with route selection and advancing again through statutory procedures with a view to submitting a revised application to the board.

“Such an approach will bring clarity to the situation at the earliest possible date.”