N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project Update

25 June 2024

Limerick City and County Council published the Transport Solution for the N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project in March 2022, and subsequently published project updates in February and November 2023. The transport solution is not limited to consideration of a single mode of transport but is based upon a holistic, multi modal view to improving connectivity, safety, and economic links between the cities of Cork and Limerick, and ultimately Galway.

The approach to the design of the N/M20 project is unique in Irish terms. It will not only address the major safety deficiencies on the existing N20 but introduce a suite of sustainable transport options which combined make the project highly innovative. The N/M20 transport solution will significantly enhance safety and journey time reliability for all transport users, improve the  health and wellbeing of the bypassed communities, support regional and local economic growth, and implement transport decarbonisation measures from the government’s Climate Action Plan.

The project team have progressed the design and environmental evaluation over the last seven months and now seek, with the publication of the June 2024 project update, to inform and consult with the public and stakeholders on the following elements:

• Dual carriageway M20 motorway with a 120kph speed limit selected, following detailed appraisal of alternative road types. The M20 motorway will be five times safer than the current N20 single carriageway and reduces intercity journey times on average by 30 minutes.
• As the largest single active travel project to be undertaken in Ireland, the project will provide up to 100km of safe, shared active travel pathways connecting communities from Blarney to Patrickswell and encourage walking and cycling for work, school, and leisure, linking communities, promoting healthier lifestyles, and reducing transport emissions.
• The location of Transport Hubs identified for Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, Bruree and Croom. These transport hubs will feature park & ride facilities for public transport, park & share, EV charging, and will be connected to local communities with the new active travel network.
• A Freight Hub in Mallow will provide facilities for parking, welfare and EV charging for heavy goods vehicles in accordance with European and National transport policies.
• The project will facilitate efficient public transport options, including the opportunity for quicker intercity express bus services and improved efficiency on existing bus services serving the communities between Cork and Limerick.
• To improve existing infrastructure, the project will utilise over 60% of the existing N20 road corridor for developing the dual carriageway motorway or reallocation of existing road space for the new active travel infrastructure.
• The project team continue to incorporate best practice for environmental, biodiversity and carbon management.
• To encourage sustainable transport choices, support Ireland’s climate action plan, and to support the maintenance and renewal of the new transport infrastructure, the project team has recommended demand management measures. These measures include distance based barrier free tolling, whereby users pay on the basis of distance travelled on the new M20 motorway. Work is ongoing to determine appropriate toll charges for the various classes of vehicles, balancing a number of different factors, including the project objective to remove strategic traffic, especially heavy goods vehicles from the communities along the existing N20 to maximise safety and environmental benefits.

Further information, including the developing design, is available at www.corklimerick.ie, and information will be available to view at Council offices in Limerick and Cork. Limerick City and County Council in partnership with Cork County Council, Cork City Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport are progressing the N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project.  The project team continues to welcome feedback from property owners, communities, businesses and other stakeholders, through in person meetings, public webinars and an online feedback form. A further project update will be published in Q4 2024 (final design and fence line), with a planning application in 2025, subject to Government approval.

For further information or to provide feedback visit www.corklimerick.ie or contact the N/M20 Project Office at info@corklimerick.ie or telephone (061) 973730.