A campaign has been mounted in Tipperary against a proposed dual carriageway to be built as part of the National Development Plan.
Members of NAG - the N8 Action Group - say that the road will cause unnecessary destruction to one of Ireland's most scenic areas, the valley between the Galtee Mountains on one side and the Knockmealdowns and Comeraghs on the other.
The existing N8, they claim, is of a sufficient standard to continue serving as the main Dublin-Cork road between Cashel and Mitchelstown. The National Roads Authority plans to build a dual carriageway through the area.
Ms Margaret O'Dwyer, joint secretary of the group, said opponents of the road included farmers, who would be "severely hit" by having their land divided. Others feared damage would be caused to "one of the most beautiful areas of the country".
The NRA's head of corporate affairs, Mr Michael Egan, said it was not feasible to upgrade the existing road to a dual carriageway because of the "massive disruption" which would be caused to traffic over a period of three to four years.
It would also have "major safety implications" and would be more expensive than building an entirely new road.
The NRA was implementing Government policy to improve regional access by upgrading the national roads network. Journey times between Dublin and Cork would be reduced by 58 minutes on completion of the new highway between the two cities in 2006, he said.
The route of the south Tipperary stretch of road has yet to be decided and it will be late next year at least before planning reaches the compulsory purchase stage. If there are objections, as is likely, a Bord Pleanala oral hearing will follow. Mr Egan said a "high quality dual carriageway" was envisaged. A second public meeting about the issue was organised by NAG in Cahir last night. About 500 people attended the first such meeting in February. Ms O'Dwyer said her group should be given public funding for experts to challenge the plans put forward by the NRA and Tipperary South Council.
