Limerick City and County Council is progressing the development of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick project in partnership with Cork County Council, Cork City Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport. The project is a priority investment in the Government’s National Development Plan 2021-2030.
The project team have progressed the design and environmental evaluation over the last year and now seek, with the publication of the June 2025 project update, to inform and consult with the public and stakeholders on the developing design, including the 80km of motorway, 100km of active travel, seven transport hubs and one freight hub.
A planning application for the N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project is programmed to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála next year, subject to approval of the project’s Business Case, which will be presented to Government later this year. If planning consent is granted, the project will be constructed in phases, with traffic flow gains being achieved through the construction of by-passes of Charleville, Buttevant and Mallow initially. Dependent on the approval and planning process, construction of the project could begin in 2028. It is estimated that the project will take approximately seven years to fully complete.
The project will facilitate economic development through improved connectivity between Ireland’s second and third largest cities and along the Atlantic Corridor to Galway and deliver substantial community, business and environmental gains along the route through the significant reduction of traffic volumes and the elimination of traffic congestion.
It will provide safer, shorter and more reliable journey times between Blarney and Patrickswell:
- 40 minutes for cars and light goods vehicles (120 km/h)
- 45 minutes for Buses (100km/h)
- 50 minutes for HGVs (90km/h)
The project will include one of Ireland’s largest Active Travel Network – 100 kms – creating safe and inclusive walking and cycling options for all users, connecting the communities of Blarney, Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Mallow, New Twopothouse, Buttevant, Charleville, Banogue, Croom and Patrickswell
Seven Transport Hubs along the route at Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, Bruree and Croom will provide charging points for electric vehicles and encourage car sharing and travel mode change to active travel and public transport. A freight hub at Mallow will facilitate safe, secure parking and rest areas for HGV drivers and provide charging points to encourage the transition towards zero emission HGVs and buses.
A multidisciplinary team has informed the design on matters such as aquatic ecology, archaeology, architectural heritage and biodiversity. Following an assessment of the impact the project will have on the existing environment; the biodiversity value of replacement and additional planting will be maximised. Thousands of acres will be planted with native tree species, bushes, hedgerows, shrubs and grasslands.
Further information, including the developing design, will be available to view at the N/M20 Project Office in Lissanalta House, Dooradoyle, Limerick, V94 H5RR and local authority offices in Cork City, Mallow, and Limerick City.
Public Display events hosted by the project team will take place from 12pm to 8pm as follows:
- Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, P56 V268 on Tuesday 17th June 2025
- Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, V94 F1P9 on Wednesday 18th June 2025
- Mallow GAA Sports Complex, Mallow, P51 XV58 on Thursday 19th June 2025
The project team continues to welcome feedback from property owners, communities, businesses and other stakeholders, through the public display events, in person meetings and a public webinar at 7pm on 24th June 2025 (see link below).
