Macroom bypass is still a priority

CONSTRUCTION of the long awaited N22 Baile Mhuirne-Macroom bypass programme continues to be a government priority despite Fianna Fáil calls to scrap key road projects.

That’s according to Agriculture Minister and Macroom man Michael Creed in response to Fianna Fáil’s support of a Green Party/ Social Democrats motion to delay or cancel key parts of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The bypass has long been called for by the local business community who say the traffic problems that have for years choked the town have to be resolved. 

Minister Creed said: ‘Fianna Fáil’s record on the N22 bypass has been abysmal. Having failed to develop the project beyond a line on a map whilst in Government, we now know from the comments and actions of senior Fianna Fáil members that they will scrap key roads projects given half a chance.

‘Fine Gael in Government has seen the project advance with site preparation and pre-construction works largely complete. The project is now at the final stages of the tendering process and on track for immediate construction.’

He said he was ‘determined to ensure that this progress is not de-railed’ and will ‘continue to work with my colleagues in Government to ensure that construction commences as soon as possible.’