Some politicians are telling us to wait for a bypass and not to press for a ring road for the town. They claim that a ring road will damage our chances of getting a bypass. This article looks at the political reality of our chances of ever getting a bypass approved.
Having been approved in 2000, the Cahir to Pallas Green bypass progressed through the various stages and was ready for purchase of land by 2010. However, due to the recession, it did not proceed any further. However, instead of being reactivated as soon as money became available, it was relegated to a bucket of 22 road projects "to be prioritised during the lifetime of the Plan". This means that it might be prioritised, but there is no commitment whatsoever to proceed with the bypass of our town.
A number of organisations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Jobs4Tipp and March4Tipp are now pressing the Government for a ring road, on the basis that it is highly unlikely that we will get a bypass within 15 - 20 years and a ring road can be built much faster.
March4Tipp conducted environmental monitoring that showed alarming levels of noise and air pollution that are above World Health Organisation maximum levels and that are linked with very serious health consequences.
Most people will concede that major capital projects are usually carried out where there are powerful politicians involved. Have a look at the list below, which shows the 22 projects to be "prioritised" under the Plan and see for yourself the political power and influence that attaches to each one. Our bypass is the only one without a single Government TD. Many of the rest have powerful Government Ministers and Junior Ministers.
Summary
- 22 Projects
- 18 are in Ministers’ or Junior Ministers’ constituencies
- 1 is in the constituency of the Chair of the Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport
- 1 is in the constituency of the Chairman of the Fine Gael Party
- 1 is in the constituency of a former Junior Minister (FG)
- Only the N24 bypass is in a constituency with no Government Minister, Junior Minister, Party Chairperson, Transport Committee Chairperson or FG TD
So, do we tell political candidates we want a ring road now, or do we wait for the tooth fairy bypass?
To read more about the differences between a ring road and a bypass, please see THIS ARTICLE.