Cork-Limerick road: 1,000 sign Croom petition opposing current M20 plan

'It’s not that we don't want to see a new road progress from Limerick to Cork, but we want a safer road', said Independent councillor John O’Donoghue

People in Croom, Co Limerick — some 20km from Limerick City — are calling for the N20/M20 redesign team to reconsider the removal of existing access points. Picture: Larry Cummins

Business owners in Croom, Co Limerick, have gathered over 1,000 signatures opposing the proposed upgrade of the N20 to M20 motorway, which they say could lead to a “gridlock” in the area.

Local people are calling on the project’s design team to reconsider the removal of existing access points, particularly as closing the northern exit of Croom, at Fanningstown, will force heavy vehicles to drive through the town’s main street.

Independent councillor John O’Donoghue has been setting up public consultations, after voicing concerns regarding the current design of the project.

“ It’s not that we don't want to see a new road progress from Limerick to Cork, but we want a safer road,” he told the Irish Examiner.

“Putting extra traffic in, and especially large agricultural vehicles, would be a complete step backwards in our estimation.

“Agricultural traffic is not allowed to travel on a motorway. Therefore, by removing that agricultural aspect, everything else goes with it. 

You are putting additional traffic onto the main streets of Croom, a lot of that traffic is predominantly agricultural traffic, with heavy vehicles. 

Mr O’Donoghue added that while it’s great to have traffic in the area, it would “stifle the growth of the town itself”.

“The major issue we have with the whole thing is around the safety of the people in Croom, the pedestrians, the people living in the town itself. Then again, we also have the businesses in the town which are trying to survive.” 

This comes as an update on the N/M20 project was issued on April 2, as Limerick City and County Council is progressing the development of the project in partnership with Cork County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the Department of Transport.

The project is a priority investment in the Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2030.

New link road proposed

The project team has recommended a new local link road, between Patrickswell Junction and Attyflin Junction, to “provide additional local connectivity”.

However, Mr O’Donoghue said no update was issued regarding the concerns outlined about Croom.

In February, the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien announced nationwide funding for national, regional and local roads in 2026.

Over €172k was allocated to Limerick roads, including to fund the N/M20 Cork to Limerick project.

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