M-way planners drive a wedge between communities

TRANSPORT 21 tell us it is ‘progress in motion’ to build the M20 from Cork to Limerick. How does the decimation of communities by the proposed route count as progress?

To begin with, we were given the three proposed routes which diverge just before Rathduff. This in itself divides the community, with individuals having to look out for their own homes and adjoining areas. This whole process upsets everyone concerned.

Finally, the preferred route is announced.

While some breathe a sigh of relief, it is disaster for others. People are told their homes, farms and businesses will be demolished. Neighbours on the preferred route are given different accounts of the planned route, thus creating confusion and argument over which account is correct. This is called progress?

For example, “progress” means destroying a family home and the business of a local shopowner. Apart from its obvious role, the shop also serves as a meeting point for local people. The proprietor delivers newspapers and groceries to those who are housebound. He will also notice if a regular customer hasn’t been to the shop lately.

This service is invaluable to a rural community.

“Progress” is at the cost of the heartbreak of having your home taken from you if you reside within the 100-metre corridor of the planned route, but beware, this can be changed at any time by the NRA or the contractor, so you may or may not be affected.

They’ll let you know when they know! Surely, people merit better treatment with more accurate and consistent information being given.

To make a very upsetting situation worse, you are given no alternative location and no assistance in the planning process if you have to build again.

Progress will be evident for all the commuters who will use the M20 from Cork city straight through to Limerick. But what of the communities in its path? While you can see the M20, you may not access it. This motorway will isolate more people — the elderly in particular. It will generate more traffic to more byroads due to the lack of access to it and the fact that farm machinery, L-drivers and motorbikes are not allowed use it.

Remember the existing main road between Cork and Mallow was designed in the 1970s, built in the 1980s for the traffic of the 1990s!

I find it amazing that in this hi-tech age, the route planners have to bulldoze through homes and not around them?

And in a time of recession those on the proposed route will have the additional stress of moving or building elsewhere, having their businesses destroyed or farms divided. I find it hard to believe that in the 21st century this is an acceptable price to pay for progress.

Maureen Walsh

Rathduff

Grenagh

Co Cork