WORK ON the planned New Ross by-pass looks likely to begin as early as 2014 after the Government announced a major funding boost to support the project last week.
On Tuesday details were released of the Government’s ‘stimulus package’ for capital projects which will see funding provided through the National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF), future sales of State Assets, and Public Private Partnerships funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
In addition to the New Ross project work will also begin on the Enniscorthy by-pass and the two projects combined will represent the largest ever investment of funding in road infrastructure in the county.
Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe, welcomed the news and said the by-passes were vital for the future viability of the county.
Commenting to the New Ross Echo, Min. Kehoe said: “It was one of my personal priorities to see these bypasses completed when I was elected to Government last year. I have brought numerous delegations from Co. Wexford to Dublin to personally discuss the progress of this project with Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar T.D. in an effort to move it forward.”
Min. Kehoe also highlighted the fact that the ‘shovel ready’ projects would provide much needed jobs for the two areas.
“Enniscorthy and New Ross have been hit hard by unemployment in recent years since the collapse of the construction bubble,” he said.
“Many local businesses will also benefit from this infrastructure as it will significantly improve our links to Dublin. This will immediately make County Wexford a more attractive location for foreign direct investment.”
The by-pass around New Ross will be around 15km in length and once complete will include the longest bridge in Ireland.
To date over €35m has been paid to landowners along the two routes.
With regard to the Oylegate route 100 cases have been settled to date involving consultation with 203 landowners – at a cost of €24,660,605. In the New Ross project 46 cases have been settled, involving consultation with 94 landowners, at a spend of €11,712,404.
Commenting on the announcement New Ross Chamber Director, Ernest Levingstone, said: “For some time we have been calling on the Government to forge ahead with projects with the potential to stimulate economic growth. We are particularly pleased to note the announcement of the funding from public-private partnerships of the N25 New Ross bypass and the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy road schemes.”
