IFA Meet Monaghan County Council on N2 Clontibret to Border Road Project
An IFA delegation led by Monaghan IFA Chair Tom Treanor recently met with senior officials from Monaghan County Council along with Jacobs Engineering Consultants to get an update and discuss farmer concerns in relation to the proposed new N2 roadway from Clontibret to the Border.
Tom Treanor said “We had a good meeting with Monaghan County Council and we highlighted the serious concerns that farmers have about the devastating impact this project will have on their farms and farming businesses. The Council and the consultants provided a detailed update on the proposed new road project.”
Monaghan County Council has been working in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to develop a scheme to upgrade a 28km section of the N2/A5 Dublin-Derry Road between Clontibret and the Northern Ireland Border.
Planning work on this project goes back as far as 2008 and there have been several delays including funding problems. In late 2023 additional funding from the EU Connecting Europe Facility was provided so as to recommence the design and planning process. The preferred route corridor was published in 2021. The proposed roadway is a type 2 dual carriageway with seven major junctions along the route.
“There are up to 200 farmers/landowners along the proposed 28 km route and this new road will have a devastating impact on their farms. The newly revised IFA/TII Roads Agreement will be available to the farmers along the route. This is absolutely essential to support farmers and protect their rights and ensure adequate compensation.”
Survey and ground investigation work has been taking place since last September and is due to be completed very soon across some 130 landowners. Tom Treanor said any farmer or landowners who has an issue with any land damage in relation to this work should make immediate contact with Monaghan Co Co and he pointed out that the contractors are obliged to fully repair and reinstate lands.
Monaghan Co Co pointed out that the design phase will be completed in April and at that stage the Council and consultants will arrange to meet with all of the landowners individually and outline the design details including the proposed land take. In addition, they will take on board any issues raised by landowners.
On the timeline, Monaghan County Council expect to submit a planning application for the project some time in 2027/2028, which will also include the CPOs and are projecting construction in 2031, subject to Government funding.
As well as the major impact of the proposed road on farm land, Tom Treanor said the IFA highlighted the serious concerns of farmers across many other issues including increased spread of TB disease and badgers; Blackleg disease; severance; farmyards; access issues including under and over passes for farmers; fencing; accommodation works; shared roads and service roads; and where responsibility lies for their upkeep and maintenance.
The IFA delegation also included the Monaghan IFA Environment rep Niall McMeel and Ethan Carvill IFA Regional Development Officer.
Tom Treanor said the IFA is available to assist any farmer that needs help in relation to the road project and they should contact the local IFA office in Ballybay or their local IFA representative.
