Businesses in north west call for full N17 upgrade
The Sligo Chamber of Commerce are calling on the Government to scrap a plan to redevelop some sections of the N17 and to commit to a full redevelopment of the route between Knock and Collooney as they say it is "unsafe and unfit for purpose".
The chamber, representing more than 200 businesses in the north west is calling on the Government to "commit to a previous promise to transform the entire 40km stretch of road from Collooney to Ireland West Airport Knock into a modern, safe, dual carriageway".
The call is backed by Managing Director of Ireland West Airport Knock Joe Gilmore and other regional businesses, who have urged the Government to revisit plans for full redevelopment of the road.
The N17 is the primary road connecting the west and the north west regions. It forms part of the Atlantic Economic Corridor connecting Cork, Limerick, Galway and Derry.
Sligo Chamber of Commerce said a provision for the full redevelopment of the N17 from Collooney to Ireland West Airport was established in the National Planning Framework in 2018.
However, they say a ministerial condition issued two years ago has limited the planned works to the construction of bypasses of Tubbercurry and Charlestown.
Sligo Chamber of Commerce CEO Aidan Doyle believes the ministerial condition is an "arbitrary" measure and must be scrapped in favour of full redevelopment.
Mr Doyle says the existing road connecting Ireland West Airport Knock and Collooney is unsafe and unfit for purpose.
Mr Gilmore said the delivery of a dual carriageway from Ireland West Airport Knock between Collooney and Tuam will be necessary to fulfil the region's economic potential and to address regional imbalance in the national economy.
'Daily hazard to public safety'
A previous TII report found the Knock to Collooney route has a collision rating twice the national average and traffic volumes exceed efficient operating capacity.
CEO of Sligo Travel Dáithí Feehily said his company's vehicles have sustained damage from passing HGVs and public transport because of the road's narrowness at certain locations.
Mr Feehily said while this damage has so far been limited to broken wing mirrors and glazing, its effect on business is not insignificant.
"We have considerable concerns for the safety of drivers and passengers on the N17 and fear that there could be much more serious consequences from these incidents if the road is not redeveloped in the future," Mr Feehily said.
Ann Butler of Higgins Pharmacy in Sligo, who lives along the N17, has criticised the Government's failure to commit to the full redevelopment of the route.
"The N17 between Ireland West Airport Knock and Collooney is not just a bottleneck to economic growth – it's a daily hazard to public safety," she said.
Ms Butler said the "Government's failure to deliver on its commitment to fully redevelop this vital route endangers lives and deepens regional inequality".
"We call for immediate investment to transform the N17 into a safe, modern dual carriageway that supports both prosperity and protection for the north west," she added.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said the N17 Knock to Collooney project is listed for progression in the current National Development Plan.
It said the Government is "committed to the development of this project, as demonstrated by the allocation of €1 million to progress it in 2025".
The route selection phase was completed last year. The project is now in the design and environmental phase.
This phase, which is expected to conclude late next year or in early 2027, includes detailed road design, necessary surveys, geotechnical investigations, and preparations related to the submission of a planning application.
Upon the conclusion of this phase, a preliminary business case will be submitted to the Department of Transport ahead of a government decision on approval-in-principle, as is required under the infrastructure guidelines.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien told RTÉ News said it is anticipated that the project could go to construction around the end of this decade, subject to the necessary approvals and completion of the planning process.
Mr O'Brien said he is fully aware of the importance of the project in supporting "a vital regional link," which connects Sligo to Ireland West Airport Knock.
A department spokesperson said "it is recognised that elements of the overall project would provide bypasses of Charlestown and Tubbercurry and are of particular importance given the need to reduce congestion and improve safety in both towns".
They said that while minister's allocations letter of 2024 focused on the progression of these [Charlestown and Tubbercurry] bypasses, it was important to point out that as part of the ongoing review of the National Development Plan, a wide range of projects are being examined, including Knock to Collooney.
Mr O'Brien said the Programme for Government commitment to increased funding for new roads as part of the NDP review should "greatly assist in the delivery of projects such as the N17 Knock to Collooney Project".
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