Concerns were raised in relation to an update on the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road at a recent meeting of Monaghan County Council. According to Director of Services for roads Gareth McMahon, designs of the upgrade are due for completion by the end of this month with a briefing for elected representatives across Monaghan scheduled to take place at 1pm in Carrickmacross on February 27th.
Mr McMahon also told those in attendance that a business case for the project must be provided in order for works to proceed from stage three to stage four. He added that as a result, there is a number of variables which makes it difficult to tie-down an exact date for completion, however updates will be provided as the year goes on.
Raising concerns about the business case, Fianna Fail’s PJ O’Hanlon stated; “We’re being told that we’ll have confirmation in the next few weeks, but it’s not definite. We don’t know for 100% that we have it. There’s not much point doing all these works unless we get the money to actually complete the programme.
“If we don’t get the money in the next couple of weeks, I would have serious reservations in relation to this whole project. If we do get the money then that will hopefully help us finish the exercise from Clontibret to the border.
“Down the line, we need to find out from the Minister directly if we’re getting money for this project to be done. There is no point doing surveys and reports and leaving them sitting on shelves up in Dublin. You’re only joking the people, leading them to believe that something is being done.
“If the Government doesn’t give a commitment in relation to funding for this road, then all the money that has been spent over the years will just be a complete and total waste of taxpayers’ money.
“One of the biggest impacts out of all of this is safety with the amount of accidents on the road. Government needs to say they are serious about this, especially to prevent fatalities down the line.”
Sinn Fein’s Noel Keelan said he also was “concerned” as to why the business case had not been made years ago. He questioned; “With the levels of traffic on that road and the amount of deaths over the years, why after all this time does the council still need to make a case? What takes precedence, a business case or human life?”
Gareth McMahon advised that the business case was a necessary protocol for a project of this scale and that he doesn’t anticipate there being any issues with the project funding for the Ardee to Castleblayney road by TII. He added that he “understands” the impact this is having on local communities and lives.
