Ground Investigation Works nearing completion; The N21 Project Team would like to thank landowners and property holders for their ongoing co-operation and assistance during the recent Ground Investigations. The majority of works are due for completion in the coming weeks, although there will be some ongoing monitoring of standpipes over the next 12 months.

Archaeology Geophysical Survey: This targeted survey has commenced and will inform where archaeological features could be found on the scheme. It is anticipated that this survey will be completed by the end of May 2023. 

Noise Surveys due to commence in April/May 2022; Noise impacts will be assessed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process. Impacts on residences and communities due to noise will be minimised by avoiding houses and villages wherever possible, and where necessary, noise barriers such as earth bunds or fences may be proposed to mitigate the impact.

The scheme will be required to comply with national standards on noise levels, and the design and construction of the scheme will be carried out in accordance with TII’s Environmental Assessment and Construction Guidelines.

To determine where mitigation is required, modelling of noise levels will be undertaken in accordance with TII Phase 3 (Design and Environmental Development) of project development. An initial assessment of the Route Options was undertaken at earlier stages in the project, and now detailed assessment can be undertaken of noise impacts along the Preferred Route Corridor.

To develop the noise model, noise monitoring will be undertaken at various locations in the study area. The locations will be selected in-line with TII Noise Guidelines. Noise monitoring is not required at every dwelling house - the selected locations will be representative of the wider area and will be chosen based on a variety of factors and how representative they are of the surrounding area. The noise model will be checked against the results of these on-the-ground noise surveys to verify the accuracy of the model, allowing noise impacts to be determined along the full length of the route. The noise model will allow the project team to assess noise impacts at every dwelling in the study area. It will take into account traffic numbers, ground levels and the design of the proposed scheme.

The noise model will allow the design team to determine the location, extent and type of noise mitigation required, and these measures will then be included in the scheme design. The Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the scheme will also include details of the noise impacts and the mitigation proposed.  

A range of surveys are currently ongoing for the N21 Newcastle West Road Scheme. These surveys will inform the Phase 3 (Design and Environmental Evaluation) Process, and will be considered by the project team in designing the alignment and proposing mitigation measures. Details of the outcomes of these surveys will be included in an Environmental Impact Assessment Report which, subject to relevant approvals, will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála through the next phase of the project (Phase 4; Statutory Approvals).

Details of the planned surveys currently underway or due to commence shortly are as follows:

Appropriate Assessment Screening for Ground Investigations

Limerick City and County Council has carried out an Appropriate Assessment Screening and has determined that a full Appropriate Assessment is not required in respect of the proposed Ground Investigation works for the N21 Newcastle West Road Scheme. The Appropriate Assessment Screening Report is available for download at the link below.

N21 Newcastle West Road Scheme Ground Investigation: Appropriate Assessment Screening Report

The Public Display of the Preferred Option took place between the 9th November and the 7th December 2021. All information presented at the Public Display is available to view or download in the Downloads section of this website. The Project Team is currently concluding Phase 2: Options Selection Process and it is anticipated that the Options Selection Report will be published in February 2022.

The next phase of TII’s planning and design process (i.e. Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation) will commence in early 2022. This will involve further development of the scheme, including design of the road, identifying the landtake required, junction design and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment. Phase 3 is planned to be undertaken in 2022 and 2023. Throughout the Phase 3 design process, the N21 Project Team is committed to continuously engaging with people living, working or who own land and property within the Study Area, however the design of the road and identification of the impacts on land and property will take some time to develop. In order to inform the design process, the N21 Project Team will first undertake a range of engineering and environmental site surveys. The design team will be in contact with relevant landowners to arrange these surveys.

As the site surveys are completed, the initial design of the road can be progressed. When the design has reached a level of maturity where informed discussions can take place, the N21 Project Team will consult with directly impacted landowners in relation to the initial design and its impact on land and property. Thereafter, feedback will be considered, and amendments may be made, where feasible, before finalising the design and landtake requirements. If you have further queries about the design process, or wish to speak to someone about the project, the N21 Project Team is available and can be contacted on the Project E-mail address NewcastleWest@midwestroads.ie or by phone on 061 951000 during normal working hours.

The call-back period has been extended for the Public Display until 23^rd November 2021. Members of the public can request a call/MS Teams Meeting with a member of the project team by calling the booking phone line on 087 057 3813.

Public Display of the Preferred Option

The Preferred Option for the N21 Newcastle West Road Scheme will go on Public Display on Tuesday 9^th November 2021.

In February and March 2021 Limerick City and County Council held an online Public Consultation seeking feedback from the public on the shortlisted options developed for the project. There was a high level of engagement from the public with this first consultation. Since then, the project team has undertaken a detailed, multi-criteria appraisal of feasible scheme options and alternatives and has considered feedback received during the public consultation event in February and March 2021.

An online public display event will now be held to inform the public and stakeholders of the Preferred Option identified for the scheme to be brought forward for further development and assessment.

This public information event will describe the work undertaken to date, give information about the option selection process and why the preferred option was selected, describe and provide maps of the preferred route corridor and outline the programme for next steps in advancing the project.

This non-statutory event will also provide an opportunity for observations to be submitted, which may inform the further development of the scheme in the next phases.

In consideration of continuing risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and taking into account the timing for planning and holding the public display, an online platform has been developed on this website N21newcastlewest.ie which will go live from 2pm on Tuesday 9^th November 2021.

As with the previous public consultation for the route corridor options, this online platform will host a virtual consultation room that will allow the public and other stakeholders to view and interact with the information and maps displayed. The platform will include an online booking facility where the public and other stakeholders can schedule an online or telephone meeting with a member of the project team during the first two weeks of the public display period.

It is understood that online information cannot be accessed by everyone. The project team is keen to engage with people throughout the display period. Information can be requested, and telephone meetings can be booked by calling the booking phone line 087 0573813 which will be available from Tuesday 9^th November to Tuesday 23^rd November 2021.

Observations can be sent by email to newcastlewest@midwestroads.ie or by post addressed to N21 Newcastle West Road Scheme, Mid West National Road Design Office, Lissanalta House, Dooradoyle, Limerick V94 H5RR up until Tuesday 7^th December 2021.

Limerick City and County Council is progressing the development of this scheme in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport. Improved accessibility between the Mid-West and South West regions and the Atlantic Economic Corridor is identified as a major enabler for balanced regional development in the National Planning Framework and is a key element in the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Strategy.

The aim of the scheme is to relieve congestion on the N21 Limerick to Tralee Road through Newcastle West. The project is expected to have positive benefits for the town centre environment of Newcastle West and will improve the quality of life of commuters and local residents. The project offers opportunities to provide safe, segregated cycling and walking facilities and to integrate with the wider Active Travel networks such as the Limerick Greenway.

Limerick City and County Council values the opinion of the community on this project and welcomes observations and comments from the public and interested parties. The knowledge gained from the engagement will be considered by the project team as part of the next stages of the development of the scheme.

Traffic Survey - 12/04/2021 to 26/04/2021

Limerick City and County Council is conducting a traffic survey to support the design of the N21 Newcastle West and N21 Abbeyfeale Road Schemes from 12/04/2021 to the 26/04/2021

The survey involves the installation of Automatic Traffic Counters at 14 locations around Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale and a video Junction Turning Count survey of pedestrian and vehicle movements at one junction in Abbeyfeale.

Installation of the traffic counters will begin on Sunday 11^th April. They will be in place for two weeks. The Junction Turning Count survey equipment will be installed on Monday 12^th April and removed on Wednesday 14^th April.

The survey equipment does not hinder traffic movement in any way.

Nationwide Data Collection Ltd. (NDC) have been engaged by the Council to carry out the survey.

All data is used for the statistical purpose of quantifying vehicle and pedestrian movements only.

The public consultation period for the route options for the N21 Newcastle West Road Scheme ended on the 5^th March 2021. We would like to thank all those who sent submissions and/or participated in the process. All information received will be taken into consideration in the process of arriving at a preferred route.

Should you have any queries in relation to the scheme please contact the project team using the contact details provided under “Contact Us”.

The Public Consultation period has been extended to 05th March 2021. Submissions will be accepted up to this date.

Additionally, the call-back period has been extended to 26th February 2021. Members of the public can request a consultation with a member of the project team by calling the booking phone line on 087 057 3813.

The call-back period has been extended for the Public Consultation by an additional week to 19th February 2021.
Members of the public can request a consultation with a member of the project team by calling the booking phone line on 087 057 3813.

Public Consultation

Limerick City and County Council is progressing the development of the N21 Newcastle West Road Scheme in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport. Improved accessibility between the Mid-West and South West regions and the Atlantic Economic Corridor is identified as a major enabler for balanced regional development in the National Planning Framework and is a key element in the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Strategy.

The aim of the scheme is to ....