Planning body approves widening of M50

An Bord Pleanala has approved plans to widen the M50 motorway that orbits the western outskirts of Dublin.

The motorway is to get one extra lane in each direction as part of plans to ease the daily problem of congestion.

However, Green Party TD Eamon Ryan has said studies show that the €850m upgrade will do little to ease gridlock as the number of cars using the M50 will simply increase to meet the new capacity.

Mr Ryan said the money would be better spent on developing improved public transport.