Preferred by-pass option to be routed north of Carrick

The preferred route of the Carrick-on-Shannon by-pass has been announced by Roscommon and Leitrim county councils as a by-pass generally to the north of the town. Details are being sent to affected landowners and residents for what will be the third period of public consultation on the town's by-pass

The preferred route is a combination of two of five previous options, beginning at Lisseeghan east of Carrick-on-Shannon, on the existing N4. From there it goes directly north for about 1.2 km, before moving north-westerly towards Aghameeny/Aghancarra.

The route then crosses the Carrick-On-Shannon to Leitrim road, the R280, to the north of the existing landfill site, before turning in a south westerly direction and crossing the Shannon in the townland of Corryolus, and heading into Co Roscommon. It then links up with the N4 in the townland of Meera. Another new scheme will continue the N4 from Meera to Hughestown.

The route has been selected following a first public consultation held in July 2001 and a second consultation displaying alternative proposals in March of this year. The information gathered in the current round of consultation will be considered by Leitrim and Roscommon county councils and once adopted, will be included in their county development plans.

While the 6 km route is now nearing the end of the planning process, funding for the scheme has not been included in the this year's allocations as determined by the National Roads Authority.