SlaNey eNviroNmeNt
Oilgate to Rosslare route chosen On 17th June 2021, Wexford County Council announced that Option C has been confirmed as the scheme option that can best deliver the objectives of the N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour scheme. This critically important infrastructural project aims to significantly improve road safety, expand capacity, and shorten journeys for both private and commercial traffic in the Wexford region, particularly in light of the increased importance of Rosslare Europort postBrexit. The public can view the route and related documentation via a specially designed virtual display room at www.oilgate2rosslareharbour.ie Six options for new road corridors were examined with some of these utilising parts of the existing N11/N25 road corridor. 97 different possible combinations were identified by combining different parts of the seven corridor options where they overlap (existing road corridor plus six new option corridors). All 97 option combinations were assessed under the pre-determined selection criteria to identify the preferred road-based scheme option. Scheme Option C is approximately 31km in length and utilises a mix of both the existing road corridor, which will be upgraded, and new corridor that will bypass significant constraints and deficiencies on sections of the existing corridor. Scheme Option C is unchanged since the public consultation in July and August 2020. Over 28,000 residents in the municipal districts of Enniscorthy, Gorey/Kilmuckridge, Wexford and Rosslare are being issued with information on the route and anticipated next steps. Then Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Councillor Ger Carthy, said, “County Wexford and Rosslare Europort in particular are strategically located gateways between the island of Ireland and mainland Europe. This brings both opportunities and challenges, and high-quality connectivity is essential to the county’s economic competitiveness, its ability to attract inward investment and its attractiveness as a tourism destination. I welcome the announcement of this major milestone in the project’s progress, and trust that the project will continue to actively engage with local communities, local land and property owners and other project stakeholders as the scheme further develops towards the planning processes.” Wexford County Council’s Chief Executive Tom Enright welcomed the announcement stating, “The development of the N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour project is a key strategic objective of the County Development Plan and a key enabler for the further economic development of the county. The project will significantly enhance regional and international connectivity, thereby helping to both solve the some of the challenges caused by Brexit and to capitalise on opportunities to attract further investment to the region.” Wexford County Council’s Director of Service Eamonn Hore said, “The impacts of Brexit have significantly intensified Rosslare Europort’s strategic importance as a gateway for Irish trade and tourism. Even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, weekly continental ferry services at the Port have increased to 34 per week. Freight volumes with continental Europe increased by approximately 460% in the first half of 2021, and
overall freight volumes, including Britain, have increased by 60%. The N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour project aims to secure the future resilience of this critical international land-sea corridor by delivering a safe, sustainable, high-quality and cost effective transport connection with Rosslare Europort.” Currently, the preferred scheme option is presented as a 300m-wide corridor. This does not represent the actual width of the road scheme once the design has been developed, or the extent of lands that are needed. The next phase of the project will involve a more detailed analysis of this 300m corridor to develop a specific road alignment to minimise or mitigate impacts on properties and the environment. Information in relation to ongoing progress, current news items, and project reports will continue to be published on the project website as the scheme develops. Public information events will also continue to be arranged at key milestones in the project’s development. Should there be any comments or observations on the selected scheme option that may inform the further development of the scheme, they can be submitted via the contact points provided below by Friday 16th July. The project team will endeavour to respond to any queries as soon as possible. Freepost: Licence WX 7400, N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour Scheme, Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Business Reply, Wexford, Y35 WY93. Email: nrlo@wexfordcoco.ie Phone: 053 92 32358 Website: www.oilgate2rosslareharbour.ie/contact-us
1st July 2021 - Page 93
