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Putting Wexford on the map
Don Curtin has spent more than 30 years in local government. For the past
three years he has held the post of Roads Liaison Officer with Wexford
County Council. Don gave Irish Trucker an insight into road construction
activities within the county.
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The National Development Plan 2000 - 2006 provided a blue print for infrastructure
development in Ireland. Part of that plan - the so-called Roads Programme
highlighted the need to link Dublin with Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway
and Sligo by high quality motorways or dual carriageways and to link the
country’s ports and airports to the national roads network.
Co. Wexford has been prioritised under the National Development Plan because
of its strategic location. To that end seven routes have been included
under the Roads Programme.
"Those projects were included in the programme purely and simply
because Rosslare Europort is in the county. The E01 to Stranraer and the
E02 to Cork run though Co. Wexford," Don commented.
He continued: "Rosslare is the nearest Irish port to continental
Europe. It is a primary port for the movement of freight to and from Europe.
It is also makes a valuable contribution to the tourism industry."
“We are delighted with the NDP investment and are grateful that Rosslare
Europort is located in our midst. We want to make sure the port continues
to play a strategic role in the commercial life of Wexford and the rest
of the country.”
Construction of the seven routes will give the local economy a direct
boost in terms of employment. However, Don feels there will also be long-term
benefits for the region.
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Part
of the Euroroute EOI at Arklow
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He enthused: “There is a direct spin off during the construction
period which is important. More importantly, the new routes will make
Wexford an attractive investment location for industry and other commercial
activities.”
He added: “Both the manufacturing and tourism sectors will be accessible
to the national roads network. It makes Wexford accessible to the airports,
Dublin and the other cities around the country.”
The seven projects included in the Roads Programme were: N25 New Ross
Bypass and second river crossing, N25 Rathsillagh to Harristown Little;
N25 Rosslare harbour access road; N11 Gorey to Arklow Link project; N11
Ennniscorthy bypass; N30 Jamestown to Moneytucker road and N30 Moneytucker
to New Ross road.
There is a standard phased process for all road construction under the
National Development Plan 2000 - 2006. The phases include: overall project
planning, constraints study; route selection; preliminary design and land
acquisition procedures; construction documents preparation and tender
award and finally scheme construction.
“Within each phases there is a huge amount of public consultation
and consultation with affected and non affected people. The whole process
provides for this level of consultation. It is a very inclusive process,”
Don commented. Each phase is only commenced following the completion of
the preceding phase and the allocation of the necessary budget. In order
to complete these projects the council is dependent on annual funding
from the National Roads Authority (NRA).
"There is a commitment in the Roads Programme for funding these projects
under the National Development Plan. The NRA allocates an annual budget.
Therefore you know how much you can spend this year and you will have
a rough idea how much you can budget for next year."
To date one of the seven schemes, which come with a present day estimate
of £550 million, has been completed. “One of the smaller schemes
has been completed. The N25 Rathsillagh to Harristown Little opened last
year. Part of the Enniscorthy to New Ross road should under construction
this year subject to funding.”
He continued: “Wexford County Council has signed compulsory purchase
orders for the Gorey to Arklow link road. The new route, which will form
part of Euroroute E01 has an estimated price tag of £170 million.
Work on the new route is due to begin in 2005, with a completion date
of 2008. The 23 km dual carriageway will run from the end of the current
Arklow bypass in Co Wicklow, to Clogh in Co Wexford.”
Gorey Town will be the biggest winner along the route. Thousands of vehicles
will be removed from the town every day, when the route is finally completed.
The new bypass will form part of the strategic Euroroute E01, which stretches
from Stranraer to Rosslare along the eastern seaboard.
Work on the remaining four road schemes in Wexford is proceeding at pace
and Don is hoping all seven schemes will be completed by 2009 / 2010.
However, the beavers in Wexford County Council aren’t content to
rest on their laurels.
“We are also looking to the future. We have our strategy prepared
and we know the schemes that we would like included in the next National
Development Plan. Every county would love to be in our position. We are
very fortunate to have Rosslare port because of its strategic importance,”
Don noted.
The Roads Department in Wexford County Council is acutely aware of the
important role it has to play in shaping the commercial, social and cultural
life of the county for generations to come, through its participation
in the National Development Plan.
There is a buzz in the air encapsulating excitement and enthusiasm. “There
is a palpable sense of excitement. We are chomping at the bit to get all
these schemes up and running. We are aware of the benefits that will fall
to Wexford when these schemes are in place.”
“We are making history here and we want to make sure, we do the best
for County Wexford. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to improve
the roads infrastructure of the county and we intend to make the most
of our good fortune,” he concluded.
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