Report Paul Murphy
The idea of a motorway which would link Drogheda, Navan, Trim, Kilcock, Enfield and Naas first emerged in the 1990s but it came crashing down in 2021 when the National Transport Authority (Nta) dropped it from its strategy. The Leinster Orbital Route was planned for 20 years prior to that decision. The motorway, it was suggested, would take a wide circular route around Dublin city to take pressure off the M50 which is fast approaching meltdown because of the volumes of traffic trying to access that route.
The current national transport policy is to seek a reduction in car travel and in increase in the use of public transport, cycling and walking and that was what led to the decision to scrap the orbital route idea.
Former Cllr Tommy Reilly was a proponent of the Leinster Orbital Route over 20 years ago.
From a very early stage of the proposal the main champion for the orbital motorway was former Cllr Tommy Reilly. In 2021 he described the decision to abandon the idea as “despicable”. Prior to that decision he had campaigned vigorously for the idea, at times against strong opposition from environmentalists and other groups. He particularly welcomed orbital bypass elements for Navan.
There had been assurances from authorities that there would be widespread consultation about the idea. He had also suggested that because of congestion at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda – in terms of bed spaces but also in terms of road access and parking in the area – a new regional hospital be built on or near the orbital route. The former councillor was quoted at that time as saying “This road has been planned for almost 20 years . It would have made a huge difference to Meath.
It would take traffic from the west and northwest, Leitrim, Fermanagh and Monaghan. At a time when we are concerned about emissions it
could have provided jobs locally and cut the amount of traffic going into the city centre.
Local councillors say it would take a massive shift in opinion to try to get the idea back on board but several are willing to try including county council Cathaoirleach Cllr Wayne Harding, Independent Cllrs Brian Fitzgerald and Noel French, and Fianna Fail Mayor of Navan Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons.
