A commitment for funding for the construction of Athy’s Southern Distributor Road must be given by government now if the project is not to be delayed according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.
“Following the most recent update on the progress of the Southern Distributor route it now seems that unless immediate funding is provided for the route that progress could come to a halt. Environmental issues and negotiations with CIE to allow acquisition of the disused rail track have progressed and the project now needs the commitment of funding of in excess of €40 million if it is to progress.
A hearing with An Bord Pleanala and the compulsory purchase orders for tracts of land would be the next steps following the commitment of funding but these would be unlikely to be initiated without money being allocated.
Athy Town Council and the various lobby and business groups are hoping that the request for finance for this project will receive a favourable response from the Department of Transport.” Said Cllr Daly
“This route is vital for the development of a town which is choked by traffic and which has a very high percentage of commuters. There now seems to be total local political and community support for the Southern Distributor Road and we must capitalise on this consensus.”
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