Port to be opened up for investment amid road plans

Ringaskiddy is to be opened up for major industrial investment after it was confirmed that plans to build a new motorway into it have been reactivated.

The National Roads Authority confirmed last night that it hopes to be able to present a design plan to Bord Pleanála for the upgrading of the N28 within the next 18 months.

Meanwhile, Cork County Council is expected to publish Compulsory Purchase Orders within the next year for land required to widen the 13.5km road between the Broomfield Interchange at Douglas and Ringaskiddy.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has asked the NRA to look again at upgrading the N28 after Cork was declared a Tier 1 National Port, along with Shannon/Foynes and Dublin.

A spokesman for Mr Varadkar said he wanted these essential ports to have appropriate road linkage to ensure their vibrancy in the years ahead.

Consultants were initially appointed in 2006 to advance the preparation of CPOs and an Environmental Impact Study for the scheme. However, three years later, the plans were shelved due to lack of funding.

Now the NRA has reappointed consultants to proceed with the process.

The lack of a proper road serving Ringaskiddy was one of the reasons An Bord Pleanála turned down the Port of Cork plans for a major container handling facility at Ringaskiddy.

Port of Cork chief executive Brendan Keating said that he was “very encouraged by the NRA’s support in seeking to provide appropriate access to Ringaskiddy.”

Mr Keating said the Port of Cork would resubmit plans for upgrading its facilities there to Bord Pleanála early next year.

“We want to build a new container handling facility there and in the longer term undertake an extension of the deep water berth. These would cost around €50m, with the container facility costing between €25m and €30m,” Mr Keating said.

Congestion at the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle Interchange was another reason why Bord Pleanála refused the last application.

However, in the meantime, the NRA has come up with a €100m redesign of the area which will greatly free of traffic movement.

Fine Gael councillor Tim Lombard welcomed the news that the NRA was going to finally submit plans for an upgrading of the N28.

“The new road will open up accessibility to Ringaskiddy, which will make the area very attractive for further industrial expansion,” he said. “This will be good for the Cork region. Building a new road will also bring a jobs boost for the construction sector.”