Blow to commuters as Rath to Kilmoon Cross Improvement Scheme is halted

Progress on the long-awaited N2 Rath to Kilmoon Cross improvement scheme on the N2 has ground to a halt with the news that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will not be progressing the project to Phase 3.

The news is a major blow to the thousands of commuters that travel along the N2 into Dublin every day from Meath and Louth.

Councillors were shocked to learn at last week's meeting of Ashbourne Municipal Council that TII have brought to project to a stop.

Meath County Council has received communication from TII in which it advised that due to current funding constraints, it is unable to approve the progression of this scheme to the Phase 3 stage. The TII say that once funding from the Government is available, it intends to re-commence the planning and design of this scheme.

Slane woman, Nicola Byrne, who regularly travels the route said it was hugely disappointing for commuters who face lengthy and stressful queues every day.

"I was horrified when I heard about the delay.

"I use this route regularly. Although I work in Maynooth, I regularly have to go into Dublin in the mornings and even going to Maynooth on an icy day, I use this route to avoid the ungritted roads.

"The commute is very stressful. You have face frustrating queues every day. I find it particularly stressful in the evening, worrying if I will be in time for the creche."

Cllr Joe Bonner says this announcement is such a huge shock and a great disappointment.

"This announcement puts a huge question mark over the delivery of the project," he claimed-

"What impact will this announcement have on the thousands of commuters who have to endure the traffic chaos along the existing route twice daily to get to their work?

"How will this decision impact on the proposed Slane By-pass?," he asked.

Cllr Bonner declared that: "This decision has major consequences for the commuters of Meath. When will money be available? The landowners along the route are subject to planning restrictions until the proposed route is delivered. Will these restrictions now be lifted and allow these people to plan for the future?" he asked.

Meath County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Nick Killian described the news as a disgrace.

"I travel from Kilmoon Cross to Navan nearly every day of the week and I see the terrible queues of traffic heading towards Dublin, sometimes backed up as far as Rathfeigh.

"It is so stressful on commuters and it leads to places like Ratoath and Curraha being used as ratruns.

"It is really disappointing that the government is dragging its heels on this. I am calling on Minister Ryan to get his finger out and deliver this project.

"There is no alternative on this route - no railway line and a very poor bus service."

Deputy Darren O'Rourke said that while he is very disappointed, he is not surprised by the news.

"This is a direct result of the government having more projects on a longlist, than they have funding for.

"It has run aground because of lack of funding and in the meantime there is no solution to the traffic congestion that commuters face on a daily basis.

"The government argues that roads aren't the answer, but what is the alternative? There is no park and ride facility on that route, there are tolls on most roads. It is very frustrating.

"Commuters want the congestion addressed, the government needs to come up with a solution, but at the moment, nothing is being offered by the government, National Roads Authority or Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Deputy O'Rourke said he didn't think that the Slane bypass project and the Kilmoon to Rath road were necessarily related but "I would have deep concern for any road project because of lack of funding."