Published: Wednesday, 8th September, 2010 5:30pm

Motorway status ruled out for town relief road

The Transport Minister has confirmed that the N6 Athlone bypass will not get motorway status and will continue to have a maximum speed limit of 100km per hour. Minister Noel Dempsey wrote to Athlone Town Clerk in August, to confirm that Consulting Engineers RPS carried out a report on the matter regarding the designation of the bypass, which is now part of the new M6 motorway from Dublin to Galway.

Minister Dempsey said that the re-designation of the bypass to motorway would prohibit pedestrians and cyclists from using the road and also affect vehicles unable to maintain a speed of 50km or more, such as agricultural vehicles especially those towing large trailers and machinery.

However, he added that this decision would not rule out a future application for a change to motorway status, should circumstances change and additional infrastructure was provided in Athlone such as alternative routes for pedestrians, cyclists and agricultural vehicles. Minister Dempsey's letter was read out at Monday's town council meeting.

Councillors were happy with the decision.