Gort to Tuam Motorway to Provide Catalyst to Economy in the West

The Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly has welcomed the announcement by the National Roads Authority (NRA) that work will commence on the M17/M18 Gort to Tuam motorway in early 2011. This was announced following the completion of the tender process to identify a preferred bidder to build the next stage of the Atlantic Road Corridor which will bypass Claregalway, Ardrahan, Kilcolgan and Clarinbridge in Co. Galway, linking with the soon to be completed Crusheen to Gort bypass.

Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the BMW Regional Assembly speaking from their offices in Ballaghaderren, Co. Roscommon stated, “The commitment to develop the Atlantic Road Corridor as set out in Transport 21 is one of the most critically important investments for the development of the West of Ireland and the whole of the BMW Region. The announcement of this project is welcomed by all those in the Region who support the Atlantic Corridor and we would urge the Government to ensure that all phases of this Corridor remain on schedule. Its development will provide a counterbalance along the West coast to the economic dominance of the East coast which now includes the enhanced Belfast/Dublin economic corridor and will ultimately strengthen the connections between the designated Gateways of Limerick, Galway, Sligo and Letterkenny”.

Mr. Finn added, “the pattern of investment under the National Roads Programme over the past decade has concentrated on the creation of a radial motorway network out of Dublin. Whilst recognising the importance of relieving congestion in the existing roads networks in the Greater Dublin Area, this prioritisation has as a consequence strengthened the dominance of Dublin and contributed to increased urban sprawl. It has been recognised that the BMW Region’s under-developed road network has been one of the major barriers restricting the development of the regional economy and has been a barrier to inward investment. These current deficits create obstacles for enterprise development and the overall accessibility and quality of life for people in the Region. Quality access to and within the BMW Region via radial corridors, linking corridors and international access points attract and promotes investment to and within the Region and will ultimately be a major factor enabling it’s future development. Balanced regional development and a more sustainable convergence in socio-economic terms between the regions as outlined in the National Spatial Strategy 2002–2020 remain possible provided that strategic investments are made to address transport and other infrastructure deficits. This announcement demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to these important objectives”.

Mr. Finn concluded by highlighting the targeted investment under the BMW Regional Operational Programme 2007–2013, which is part-funded support by the European Regional Development Fund, “building upon the work of the 2000–2006 Programme, we have provided funding to the recently completed Athlone to Ballinsloe section of the M6, the Tullamore bypass and as part of our investment in the Gateways and Hubs Programme in the Region, funding is being provided to develop urban road schemes such as the upgrade of the Seamus Quirke Road in Galway and the construction of an Eastern Access Route in Cavan Town”.