Renewed hope for bypass plans in Tipperary – ‘We can't afford to lose another life'
The bypass for Thurles has not been included in the Government's National Development Plan up to 2040, but there are hopes that with the review of the NDP, the major infrastructure project can be added to it.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Thurles councillor Jim Ryan said that if the project isn't added to the NDP now, it will mean that it will take at least another generation to come to fruition.
"Ever since I became a councillor 26 years ago, and even before that, the bypass project for Thurles has been top of the agenda, and just year after year, it's been let slip by, the Government don't seem to be seeing it as a priority.
"The fact now that the NDP is under review, and the fact that Tipperary County Council have sent in an excellent submission looking for the bypass project Thurles to be moved on, the pressure's now on our local TDs, Michael Lowry, Alan Kelly, and Ryan O'Meara to deliver and ensure that the voices and concerns of local councillors and the people of Thurles are listened to,' Cllr Ryan said.
"If it's not [included in the NDP], it basically means it'll be another generation before we ever see a bypass project for Thurles and that's simply not good enough,' Cllr Ryan hit out.
There have been a number of fatalities in Thurles town over the years, with two national roads running through the centre of the town at Liberty Square.
"There's thousands of lorries, heavy goods vehicles, and cars that come into Thurles on a daily basis,' Cllr Ryan explained.
"Unfortunately there has been a number of fatalities in Liberty Square where people have unfortunately lost their lives because they've been knocked down by lorries, and out of respect for those families, we should move on the bypass project for Thurles,' he said.
In August 2023, 83-year-old Liam Hanrahan died in hospital from injuries sustained when he was hit by a truck in Liberty Square.
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"We've lost lives because of it [the lack of a bypass] and we just cannot afford to lose another one,' Cllr Ryan added.
"It's now in the hands of our local TDs and really, they need to deliver this time because they have failed miserably over the last 30, 40 years and it's time now to deliver for the people,' the independent councillor concluded.
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