Port plan: NRA has no start date for upgrade
NRA officials admitted to a Bord Pleanála oral hearing they had no firm details about a start date to upgrade the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange or when a road will be built to Ringaskiddy to replace the existing N28. They may, however, be able to provide clarity on these issues by the year end.
Day five of the hearing was told both projects were dependent on government funding being made available. Under an EU agreement, the State was legally obliged to have them completed by 2030.
NRA senior planning policy adviser Tara Spain said phases one and two of the port’s plans could be accommodated by the existing road network.
Port plans involve the creation of two berths for container ships, building new internal roads, and an extension to the deep water quay at Ringaskiddy West.
However, Ms Spain said it was “critically important” phase three would not be undertaken until the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange and N28 upgrades were completed.
Phase three involves construction of a new ramp to allow more roll-on, roll-off ferries dock in the port.
Until the new Ringaskiddy road is built, the NRA said it was happy the port could operate the first two phases amid HGV traffic management restrictions.
Restrictions include using a mandatory advanced web booking system which would, as far as possible, prevent hauliers from picking up and dropping off cargo at non-rush-hour times.
Cork Harbour Environmental Protection Association’s Bob McLoughlin said “nothing has been determined, everything remains uncertain, and there’s no idea about funding”.
Sean Forde of the Ringaskiddy Residents’ Association said his community could not wait another 16 years for a proper road system, not just because of the port’s proposals but also the planned development of further large enterprises around the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster campus.
“It will make life very difficult for the people of Ringaskiddy,” he said.
It was stated that the upgrade of the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange would cost in the region of €100m.
Richard Bowen, an NRA inspector, said he believed the cost of building a new road to Ringaskiddy would be close to €150m and take about 36 months.
The EU may provide up to 20% of the cost. The remainder will come from the State, while the NRA is also looking for contributions from the Port of Cork and development contributions from businesses which locate in the Ringaskiddy area in the years ahead as they would benefit from its construction.
Despite having no start date for the new road, the NRA said it expected a preferred route would be adopted shortly and, by early next year, Cork County Council would have an Environmental Impact Study completed and identified land it will have to acquire.
During cross-examination, NRA officials told Cllr Marcia D’Alton they didn’t envisage the new road being tolled, unless the Government decided otherwise.
They told Cllr Michael McGrath no work had been carried out to upgrade the N28 since the port’s last planning refusal in 2008.
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