Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2014
816. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following recent improvement works to the Athlone bypass, if this road will be incorporated into the M6 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29480/14]
View answerAs regards the classification of the Athlone Bypass, in 2008 the National Roads Authority (NRA) made an application to my Department for the re-designation of the N6 Athlone Bypass as a motorway. This application was carefully considered but was ultimately turned down for various reasons, including the fact that this would result in pedestrians, cyclists and agricultural vehicles being prohibited from using the bypass which includes a bridge over the River Shannon. Given the lack of suitable alternative crossing points over the Shannon and that it would be undesirable to force large agricultural vehicles back into Athlone Town, I have no plans to re-designate this road at present.
