A FINAL DESIGN update has been published for the N19 Shannon Airport access road improvement scheme.
Clare County Council, in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport on Tuesday published the final design update for the N19 Shannon Airport Access Road Improvement Scheme.
In the first design published in March 2023, it included a combination of active travel measures for walking and cycling, facilities to improve public transport, along with new and improved road infrastructure between Drumgeely roundabout and Knockbeagh Point roundabout on approach to Shannon International Airport.
Since the conclusion of the first design, the design team has been further progressing the design and environmental evaluation of the preferred option. The design of the preferred option has now been finalised, following extensive stakeholder engagement and detailed consideration of environmental surveys, transport surveys and ground investigations.
An environmental impact assessment report is be finalised before a planning application is submitted to An Bord Pleanála, the design team hope to submit this planning application by the end of 2024.
Attractiveness and efficiency of public transport in Shannon is set to improve as part of the project while it will enhance the existing bus service. New and improved active travel infrastructure are a key component of this project and improved active travel links to Shannon Airport and the Shannon Free Zone will further encourage modal shift, the use of sustainable forms of transport and inter-modal connectivity.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling said the publication of the final design represented “a significant step as we look forward to delivering a reliable, sustainable, multi-modal transport solution that will enhance the connectivity of Shannon Airport, the Shannon Free Zone and the wider mid-west region. The project will unlock further economic growth potential by improving active travel and public transport connections along the N19, which ultimately will help facilitate and support the sustainable growth and development of Shannon Airport, the Shannon Free Zone, and Shannon Town”.
He added, “The project will have a positive impact on the local community ensuring that road safety and the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users has been a priority throughout the design development process. Clare County Council looks forward to working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance this project through the statutory procedures and subsequent phases”.
Elected members of the Shannon Municipal District were on Tuesday morning briefed on the plans with Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) pointing out that public consultation can be improved, “they said there was very little public consultation feedback on it, people aren’t seeing it”.
Final design update drawings are now available for viewing on the project website www.shannonaccess.ie, with hardcopy maps on display in Clare County Council’s head office in Ennis and in Shannon Municipal District Office.
