Thurles inner relief road to be included in National Development Plan

Photo © Tipp FM

An inner-relief road for Thurles will be included in the revised National Development Plan which will be unveiled this afternoon.

The government’s €165 billion infrastructure spending plan will cover the next 10 years.

It will include all the major road projects promised in the 2018 version.

Deputy Jackie Cahill says the long awaited inner relief road project for Thurles will link the Slievenamon Road at the new Lidl to the Mill Road.

“There’s very few new road infrastructure plans specifically mentioned in the plan and I’m delighted as the Government TD in Tipperary that my pressure on Minister McGrath has yielded this.

“So the Thurles Relief Road funding is going to be provided for in the National Development Plan – its only part of the road infrastructure we need in Thurles but it’s a hugely important step forward for the town and it will help to relieve the traffic congestion that’s in the town at the moment.”

Deputy Cahill expects Tipperary County Council will now proceed with compulsory purchase orders, while the news will also be a boost for Mary Immaculate College.

“Mary I have already got plans and when we had Minister Harris in Mary I, they told the Minister they intend to have their main entrance on this relief road and it would greatly enhance access to Mary I and that will be a great help to Mary I.

“We’d hope that within five years that we’ll see this road brought to fruition.”

Deputy Michael Lowry explained how the funds will be used.

“The monies will allow for the building of a bridge across the River Suir. The first section of this road was built with the construction of the Lidl store and that has been completed and the final stage has been delayed due to outstanding issues regarding the procurement of a section of land.

“I discussed this with the CEO of Tipperary County Council recently and requested he would finalise matters to enable the project to be completed – this road would reduce traffic congestion in the town.”