Athlone and Sligo to be developed as new cities

Detailed development strategies for the regions have been suggested for inclusion in the National Plan 20002006 by economic consultants Fitzpatrick & Associates. The blueprint has been presented by the State's regional authorities to the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy.

In the Border, Midlands and Western regions - the areas especially targeted by the IDA for growth - these include the creation of two new cities at Athlone and Sligo as well as two smaller growth centres at Letterkenny and Castlebar. The strategies include:

Athlone: Development of a strategically planned growth centre of city status to counterbalance Dublin. To be a natural centrepoint for the midlands with potential to be the centre of a larger midland cluster involving Mullingar, Tullamore, Longford, Roscommon and Ballinasloe.

Athlone already has basic infrastructure including primary routes, water and sanitary services, an institute of technology, and national road and rail connections which could be developed. Possible centre for e-commerce. Centre of road infrastructural routes linking north west and south-east as well as north-east and south-west.

Sligo: Development of a new strategically planned city, as "another Galway". Creation of a relatively self-contained but fast growing city on the western seaboard as a growth driver for the region. Possible centre for e-commerce. Roll-out of high-grade fibreoptic cable for broadband telecommunications. Development of the Sligo/Mayo Institute of Technology and development of the town as a base for arts and cultural facilities and a number of regional government offices.

Sligo also has the basic ingredients of a scenic location, roads, rail, an institute of technology, an airport (albeit a small one) and proximity to Knock Airport.

The report suggests investment in cross-Border links to increase North/South co-operation. Encouragement of agricultural diversification and tourism. Improvements in road access.

Galway: Development of the regional airport/air service industries. Public transport infrastructure. Management of existing growth. Development of public transport links with other growth centres.

The new Border, Midlands and Western Regional Authority is to be set up in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

In the Southern and Eastern Region, investment strategies being considered on foot of the Fitzpatrick report include: Waterford/Limerick/Cork. Investment in the existing regional growth centres at Waterford, Limerick and Cork which will develop as major gateways. This means investment in third-level colleges, tourism, telecommunications, ports and airports. Upgrading of the Waterford Institute of Technology to university status. Investment in harbours/ piers and maraculture.

Strategies also include investment in mainline rail, extension of the natural gas network and refurbishment of the electricity network. A strategy to manage expansion of housing and social exclusion in urban and rural deprived areas. Enhanced focus for research and development. Investment especially in Shannon Estuary and Tarbert ports. Measures to target social deprivation.

These three cities have been identified as having the capability to handle much of the economic functions currently handled by Dublin. These include research, clustered-high-tech investment, training, gateway functions and internationally-traded services.

The role of the Limerick/Shannon/Ennis area with its Information Age Town, city life and airport zone as a growth triangle should be exploited to the full.

Dublin: Dublin will remain the primary State growth centre and major international gateway as well as the southern node on the Dublin/Belfast economic corridor. Deployment of the Strategic Planning Guidelines to manage growth. Action on urban deprivation. Deployment of Luas. Extension of DART. Development of the Dublin/Belfast economic corridor. Development of Dublin Port Tunnel.

Tralee: Tralee is scheduled to develop as a smaller growth centre. Investment in Kerry Regional Airport. Upgrading of rail/road access. Development of tourism and maraculture/aquaculture.