A view of the planned new motorway from Rowan Hill over Bloomfield interchange.

Ringaskiddy motorway granted permission

Planning permission has been granted for the Ringaskiddy M28 motorway.

The €180m scheme consists of an upgrade of roughly 12.5km of the current route to include 10.9km of motorway, 1.6km of single carriageway and four junctions at Bloomfield/ Rochestown Road, Carr’s Hill, Shannon park and Shanbally.

The scheme also includes provision for the M28 to M48 Link Road and the removal of the existing merger at Maryborough Hill.

Following a 12-day oral hearing last year, An Bord Pleanála today confirmed that permission has been granted for the project.

The planning board had received 139 submissions on the project, of which 48 included objections.

Over the course of 12 days spanning three weeks, the oral hearing heard submissions from up to 100 witnesses.

The Cork Chamber welcomed the decision saying the motorway is key to facilitating the Port of Cork's move to Ringaskiddy.

Director of Public Affairs, Thomas Mc Hugh said the motorway is needed for all of Munster and for Ireland.

“With the future development potential of both our Docklands, the Port of Cork, and Ringaskiddy as a nationally significant employment zone all resting on M28 moving forward we are delighted with An Board Pleanála granting a supportive decision as simply we cannot afford to continue with the status quo.”