Cork residents concerned about proposals to establish tolls along the Blarney to Mallow stretch of the M20
The issue was highlighted in the Dáil by Cork politician Ken O'Flynn on Tuesday, June 17.
Deputy O'Flynn said M20 tolls must be removed from Blarney to Mallow as they are likely to generate a significant impact on members of local communities who will have no other choice but to use the road for work on a daily or regular basis.
The Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central reiterated that many locals living in the north Cork and surrounding areas are fearful of being penalised once the new toll system becomes operational.
Mr O'Flynn said: 'This project was supposed to be about the promise of finally delivering on critical infrastructure for the region, but it is rapidly turning from promise to punishment for many local people who will have no other option but to submit to daily toll fees because the lack of any other meaningful transport options.'
Deputy O'Flynn wants assurances that this welcome project will not become a financial milestone around the neck of north Cork locals, particularly those living between Blarney and Mallow. 'The Taoiseach has now accepted after I pressed him on the issue, that locals will effectively face a significant impact if nothing changes and if the proposal to proceed with the tolls goes ahead as planned.
'It is vital that a revised model of tolling for certain stretches of the motorway is introduced. We still have time to ensure that this happens so that the residents of north Cork can actually benefit from the motorway as opposed to being financially punished for accessing it in instances where they have no other options but to do so,' he added.
The emerging route for the M/N20 road between the two cities was announced on Monday, June 16.
The route, which is set to bypass Mallow and Charleville, has been described as a 'key infrastructural priority' in the National Development plan.
100km of shared use 'active travel' infrastructure will also be included in the plans, as well as eight transport hubs, which provide parking for cars and bikes as a way to connect with other forms of transportation.
These will be located in Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, Bruree, and Croom.
Mallow is also set to receive a new 'Freight Hub', which will provide 30 HGV parking spaces as well as rest and welfare facilities for drivers.
The route largely follows its original N20 footprint, apart from significant bypasses in both Mallow and Charleville.
At Mallow, the route will deviate at Mourneabbey, sweeping eastwards of the town, and splitting the towns of New Twopothouse and Doneraile, and continuing to bypass Buttevant on its eastern outskirts.
The Mallow Junction transport and freight hub will be situated due east of the town, between Parkadallane and Lackanamona.
The road will then sweep across the current site of the road, near Ballyhoura and onwards to bypass Charleville to its west.
A major junction is due to be constructed at the site of the Ardnageehy Cross Roads, before the road continues through the townlands of Ballypierce and Kiltwohig on its way around the town.
From there it will continue on its own path, running almost parallel to the current road on its way to Bruree, where a new transport hub will be built even further west of the town than the current road, at Ballyteige.
Continuing into south County Limerick, the new road will skirt Banoge to the west, before joining up with the current N20 just south of Croom, at Anhid East.
It will then continue on the current N20 before diverting to a brand new three leg directional junction at Gorteen, just a few hundred metres west of the current junction.
The project, which could cost up to €3 billion and get underway by 2028, will see over 80km of motorway built, while almost 200 farms and some 20 homes along the route set to be subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order by the Department of Transport.
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