94% of Irish Examiner readers in favour of a Limerick-Cork motorway

An Irish Examiner poll has revealed that 94% of readers would like the Government to invest in a motorway between Limerick and Cork.

Yesterday it was reported that Transport Minister Pascal Donohoe had postponed plans for a €1bn Cork-Limerick motorway project due to a lack of funding.

The National Roads Authority had said the motorway would reduce travelling time by half an hour between the two cities and would limit road deaths and congestion in the towns of Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville.

We asked readers of the Irish Examiner their views and there was a phenomenal response.

Over 4,000 people have already voted with many feeling the current route between Ireland's second and third largest cities is too dangerous.

Ibec, the country’s business representative body, has said the Government should review the decision based on the “compelling return” a motorway would deliver.

The government was also accused by Ibec chief economist and head of policy, Fergal O’Brien of hiding behind EU budgetary rules in delaying the project.

“Government should not be using the EU fiscal rules constraints on exchequer spending as a reason to delay much-needed infrastructure projects such as the new Cork-Limerick M20 motorway. The economic, business and social case for urgently commencing projects such as this is overwhelming,” Mr O’Brien said.

READ MORE: POLL: Does the Limerick-Cork road need a motorway? .

READ MORE: ‘Very strong’ case for Cork-Limerick motorway .