Mattie McGrath urges fast-track for long-delayed Tipperary bypass
Mattie McGrath pressed for fast-tracking a bypass for Tipperary town as part of the N24 improvement scheme, stressing decades-long delays and community hardship. He described daily heavy traffic, noise and pollution and said residents and local groups strongly support a bypass.
The minister outlined that the work forms part of a 35-kilometre improvement scheme to the N24 between Caire and Tipperary and Limerick Junction. The proposed project would include bypasses of Tipperary Town and Bansha, enhance regional accessibility, improve connectivity between Limerick and Waterford, remove through traffic from towns, increase safety and network capacity, and provide scope for urban environment improvements and better walking and cycling.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has advised the Department that the project is progressing through the design and environmental evaluation phase, with that phase anticipated to conclude in the second half of this year. A preliminary business case will then be submitted to the Department; subject to Government approval, the project will proceed through statutory processes and an application for planning approval is expected in the first half of 2026.
The minister said officials will continue to engage with TII on feasibility and gave assurance that elements of the scheme, such as the Tipperary town bypass, will be considered for fast-tracking. He committed to ongoing engagement with the Deputy and to keeping him informed of progress at each stage, citing past examples where sections were linked up once funding was available.
The Deputy described severe local impacts from heavy truck traffic and said around 5,000 people previously marched in support of the bypass, joined by local groups including Jobs for Tip and the Chamber. He highlighted community and sporting organisations in the town and argued that a bypass would improve public realm, business opportunities and quality of life for residents.
Project scope and benefits
The minister outlined that the work forms part of a 35-kilometre improvement scheme to the N24 between Caire and Tipperary and Limerick Junction. The proposed project would include bypasses of Tipperary Town and Bansha, enhance regional accessibility, improve connectivity between Limerick and Waterford, remove through traffic from towns, increase safety and network capacity, and provide scope for urban environment improvements and better walking and cycling.
Current project stage and timeline
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has advised the Department that the project is progressing through the design and environmental evaluation phase, with that phase anticipated to conclude in the second half of this year. A preliminary business case will then be submitted to the Department; subject to Government approval, the project will proceed through statutory processes and an application for planning approval is expected in the first half of 2026.
Fast-track feasibility and engagement
The minister said officials will continue to engage with TII on feasibility and gave assurance that elements of the scheme, such as the Tipperary town bypass, will be considered for fast-tracking. He committed to ongoing engagement with the Deputy and to keeping him informed of progress at each stage, citing past examples where sections were linked up once funding was available.
Local impact and community support
The Deputy described severe local impacts from heavy truck traffic and said around 5,000 people previously marched in support of the bypass, joined by local groups including Jobs for Tip and the Chamber. He highlighted community and sporting organisations in the town and argued that a bypass would improve public realm, business opportunities and quality of life for residents.
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Transcript
The Minister of Transport and the U. Minister of Transport for an up-to-date town by-pass and can it be fast-tracked because people are waiting there literally for decades for years and we were a long way down the road with N24 back 15 years ago, now we are at it again. We would love to see the bypass included in the footprint of the new N24. Goedemorgen Deputy, I want to thank the Deputy for the question and I know that this has been a matter of concern for a long time to both you and the residents of Tipperary and Tipperary Town in particular and those who use the N24. This project forms part of a 35-kilometre improvement scheme to the N24 between Caire and Tipperary and Limerick Junction. The proposed project would include bypass of Tipperary Town and Bansha and would enhance regional accessibility and improve connectivity between Limerick and Waterford. By removing through traffic from a number of towns, there would be greater safety for road users and increased capacity in the network for both public transport and freight traffic. There would also be scope for urban environment improvements, improvements to our public realm in our towns and villages, particularly in towns such as your own and Tipperary, including the provision of improved public realm facilities. This would have a positive benefit socially on local residents and would encourage walking and cycling within that area. The project is currently progressing through the design and environmental evaluation phase, during which detailed design of the project is undertaken, along with the preparation of land acquisition documentation and surveys. Transport Infrastructure Ireland have advised my Department that it is anticipated that this phase will conclude in the second half of this year, after which a preliminary business case will be submitted to my Department, as per the infrastructure guidelines. With regard to fast-tracking of individual elements of the overall delivery project, it will become clearer once the current project phase is concluded. However, my officials will continue to engage with TII with regard to this project, including the feasibility. I want to assure you of this, Deputy, of fast-tracking elements of this project, such as the Tipperary town bypass. Subject to Government approval of the preliminary business case, the project will then proceed through the statutory processes, which will include an application for planning approval to Ombour Planola. It is expected that that application will be made in the first half of 2026. I thank the Minister for his very in-depth reply. Minister, look, it is a long way to Tipperary, and I hope that one of your first visits will be to visit Tipperary town, to see the anguish, the trauma, the noise and the pollution that goes on on a daily basis with hundreds of trucks bumper to bumper. The people of Tipperary town are wonderful people. The 5,000 of them went on the streets with March for Tip there some years ago, and indeed, Jobs for Tip, the Chamber, every wants this. They are not the Coral of the Cail, and they are all touching it. We need it, and the people need it, and the infrastructure, as I said, is the main thoroughfare from Ross-Lair port to the Port of Fiennes, and indeed we are going to bypass, as you said, you know, Bansha, and indeed Moniard and Dimmer Junction, and indeed Ola and the county of Limerick. So, it is a vital project. And I can tell you, before the TI were ever even dreamt of, before they were even conceived, we have a farm in Tipperary, where we built the tactical bypass on the footprint of the M8, and then we linked up afterwards when the funding came along. So, we have the model here, and it makes a no-brainer to do this section of it, to bypass the town, because of such a necessity. You have been very strongly and passionately arguing for this as well, and I can assure you that, you know, we will engage with TII around the feasibility of fast-tracking elements of the project, particularly that Tipperary town bypass. There are other elements of it which will require planning. It is going through the process as well. We are committed to it. I know you are. It makes a massive difference to residents in the area, particularly if you look at, if we can bypass Tipperary town, the improvements that we can make within the town, you know, on the public realm in particular that I have mentioned, and the opportunities then, for businesses and for people as well, to look at new enterprises within the area, and to basically improve the quality of life right in the town centre. So, I can assure you I will stay engaged directly with yourself on this. I have taken on board what you have said here this evening, and I will keep you informed of progress at each stage. Goal Martin. It is a wonderful town. It is a wonderful town, wonderful people. We have got many knocks over the years, but there are so many community and voluntary associations there. I could name them off, Rock and Raleigh, Cannon Hayes, indeed Moorhaven. All the sporting clubs that are there are huge. All the people want to do is get the heavy traffic out of the town, and let normal traffic, normal commas take place. Let the people work, live and play in the town. So, it is Moor and by-passing at all. So, Minister, we have to look at this model. As I said, it was done. I happened to be here on the county council the day it was opened, the cashier bypass, where we did it on the footprint. So, we came along then with the M8 and linked up both sections of it, and away we go. So, Castle has the bypass. Tip Town, Clann Mell, that bypass is over-utilised now. Can't cope. But Tip Town badly, badly, badly needs this for industry, for business, and for social activities, and for the people to live healthy and happy. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. I'm glad to be here. I'm glad to be here. I'm glad to be here. I'm glad to be here. I'm glad to be here. I out of line. I'm glad to be here. and I hope you will be able to join the TII and join the team. And I hope you will be able to join the team.