Motorway classifications spark objections

THE REDESIGNATION to motorway status of more than 230km of high-quality dual carriageways on 10 key routes across the State – first announced three years ago – has run into opposition from developers, farmers and local politicians, it has emerged.

The proposed changes, which were announced at the opening of the Ashbourne bypass in May 2006, involve upgrading the mainly new dual carriageways to motorway status, with a consequent increase in speed limits from 100km/h to 120km/h.

Other changes, aside from the speed limit, are that learner drivers, vehicles with a speed of less than 50km/h – which includes many agricultural vehicles – and motorcycles of less than 50cc are barred from using motorways.

The designation also helps prevent inappropriate developments alongside the motorways.

Once classified as a motorway, access to the route is restricted to separated junctions and this also contributes to motorways being the safest routes in the State.

But while Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey redesignated a first tranche of 10 sections of dual carriageway in 2008, The Irish Timesunderstands that the second tranche has been beset by objections.

In the case of the N6 near Athlone, for example, local Fine Gael councillor John Naughten said he “would have concerns about the implications for development on the west side of Athlone – particularly on the SO1 site in Bogganfin – as access would be prohibited if the road is reclassified as motorway”.

The councillor also raised the issues of access by learner drivers and farmers. Similar submissions have been made by others, including property developers, landowners and local authorities across the roads network.

This week the Department confirmed that “a considerable number of submissions were received with regard to the various local authorities and these are currently being examined by officials in the Department”.

A spokeswoman maintained that “the original timeframe for the redesignation of the second tranche of motorways to come into effect was summer 2009”.

She stated: “This timetable will be kept”.

Certification of the safety and suitability of the second tranche was submitted to Mr Dempsey in April last year, and a one-month period of public consultation was subsequently carried out.

The roads in question are: one section of the N2; two sections of the N3; one section of the N4; three sections of the N6 which together amount to almost 80km; two sections of the N7/N20; two sections of the N8; three sections of the N11; some 70km of the N18 and a section of the N20/21.