'Cork to the World’ – Cork Chamber report highlights the economic and jobs growth potential of an upgrade of the N28 to Ringaskiddy

10th June 2014

Cork Chamber today launched an economic assessment prepared by Indecon International Economic Consultants, which conclusively demonstrates that the proposed upgrade of the N28 road scheme from Cork to Ringaskiddy is a key catalyst project for wider regional development that deserves priority status.

The report titled ‘Cork to the World’ - An Updated Economic Assessment of the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Scheme sets out a number of definitive arguments that highlight the potential for economic growth, job creation and social benefits from upgrading the route.
The report identifies the following key benefits that would arise from completion of the N28 upgrade:

• Direct transport benefits in the form of reduced journey times and costs (including associated environmental costs) for road users on the immediate N28 corridor;
• Enhanced capacity to serve the external trading and connectivity requirements of the South-West’s business community through facilitating the development of Port of Cork’s operations at Ringaskiddy and ensuring the provision of adequate port capacity;
• Improved capacity to serve and enhance the key industry cluster of multinationals and indigenous firms operating in the Ringaskiddy/Carrigaline area, and to support the development of the strategic IMERC maritime and energy research/industry cluster; and
• The scheme’s catalytic and influencing role in supporting wider regional development, including the development of the tourism sector and of the Cork Docklands.

Speaking ahead of the launch Conor Healy, Cork Chamber Chief Executive, said, “Cork Chamber recognised the importance of completing this assessment to add to the work being undertaken by the NRA on the N28 in order to cement the economic and social case for the upgrade. Delivering the upgrade of the N28 is a critical infrastructural priority as its completion will have a domino effect across the County, City and wider Southern region resulting in improvements in employment, attraction of FDI and reduced traffic congestion; it will also free up vital development land along the City Centre Docklands when the Port of Cork moves to the lower Harbour.”

Mr. Healy continued, “We are all fully aware of the fiscal situation and the constraints that it is placing on infrastructural developments nationally but as this report shows that the ‘do nothing’ scenario in relation to the N28 is so detrimental for economic growth and job creation in the wider Cork region that it would be folly for the government not to proceed. Our report outlines the short, medium and long term economic and social gains of the completion of the project and clearly demonstrates that it is a project government cannot afford to neglect.”

Mr. Healy concluded, “If there is a true commitment to maximizing the potential of our marine economy through the work in the Irish Marine Energy Research Cluster (IMERC); and the vision to see the potential development of the City’s docklands then the N28 is the key to unlocking all these opportunities and the government now needs to turn that key and provide the funding to get this project completed.”

Cork Chamber is the leading business organisation in Cork supporting and representing the interests of close to 1,100 businesses employing 100,000 people in the region. Cork Chamber has a mandate to develop and promote policy recommendations that create an enabling business environment and support the region’s economic development.

Ends

Return to the Archive News section