New route could boost trade in south-east

The opening of Euroroute One has enormous potential for Co Wexford and the development of Rosslare Europort, according to Wexford Chamber of Commerce.

Commenting on the importance of the route from the Border to Wexford town, Mr Eamon Murphy, president of theWexford Chamber of Commerce, said it was vital the Gorey bypass goes ahead next year.

"The pinch point is Gorey, after that there aren't currently any real bottlenecks and the provision of good access to the port means that a lot of business could divert from the congested Dublin area."

According to Mr Murphy, the fact that the route will not be a motorway or even a dual-carriageway through much of Co Wexford, will not deter development.

"There have been a lot of conferences here on how improved access from the west could be an engine to drive Rosslare and I believe the same exists for ferry traffic which is seeking to avoid the congestion around Dublin," he said.

Insisting that "there is huge potential for Rosslare nationally", Mr Murphy said Euroroute One would make it easier for hauliers to get from Northern Ireland to the port.

Wexford Chamber and others along the east coast, together with local authorities, have been advocating investment in the N11 corridor for more than four years, through the N11 Forum. One potential drawback however is the development of commuter housing which could lead to congestion on the route, negating its value in terms of moving goods and services through Rosslare port.

The opening of the Arklow bypass some years ago provided the catalyst for the development of commuter housing around Gorey, and the opening of the Ashford-Rathnew bypass could increase this demand in coming years.

However Mr Murphy said he felt that Gorey was about as far as Dublin commuter housing would develop and he said a bypass would facilitate port traffic rather than continue Dublin's urban sprawl.

"Bypassing Gorey is the key. The population of Gorey is expected to exceed Wexford town within three years. "It is essential that the bypass is in place to speed traffic up and down the east coast, otherwise it will halt the development of Wexford as a hub in the south-east."

The National Roads Authority has indicated that work will begin on the Gorey bypass in 2004, subject to money being provided by the Government.