Proposed Adare bypass is ‘critical to planning for the Ryder Cup’, oral hearing told.

THE proposed Limerick to Foynes Road, including the Adare bypass, is “crucial to logistical planning” for the Ryder Cup.

That’s according to Limerick Chamber chief executive Dee Ryan, who was speaking at an An Bord Pleanala oral hearing into the €450m project.

The national planning appeals body is four days into a two-and-a-half week inquiry into the major new road, designed to take pressure off the existing N69. As well as bypassing Adare, the 35km link will connect the Foynes Port to the motorway network. It’s seen as vital to remove traffic from Adare in time for the 2027 Ryder Cup, and also the development of the port, which is expected to see an increase in cargo in the wake of Brexit.

In her evidence to the hearing, chaired by inspector, Patricia Calleary, Ms Ryan highlighted golf’s premier team sports tournament, which is slated to take place in Adare Manor.

Referring to the Adare bypass, she said: “It will be crucial to logistical planning for this event and will deliver improved capacity to serve the connectivity requirements of the tourism industry in the Mid-West and South-West region, including through expanding the catchment area of Shannon Airport.”

As well as this, Ms Ryan argued that the new road will support Failte Ireland’s work to develop Limerick as a “gateway city” on the Wild Atlantic Way, which in 2019 drew almost one-million visitors.

Ms Ryan feels Limerick can enjoy a slice of that action, the hearing heard.

“The benefits provided by the N69 underpin the competitiveness of the Mid-West region through enhancing connectivity and facilitating economic growth across existing and new sectors,” she added.

One of the red-lines from the Green Party upon its entry to government was the shelving of the Shannon LNG gas terminal at Ballylongford.

For the complete report by Nick Rabbitts of the Limerick Leader click on: https://www.limerickleader.ie/