Delegates from Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo, have expressed bitter disappointment over the disclosure by the National Roads Authority that the proposed east-west road link between Dundalk and Sligo has been put on the back-burner and is not regarded as a priority for the region.
The information was given by NRA corporate affairs manager Michael Egan, who travelled to Donegal to address a Border Regional Authority meeting and give an update to councillors on current and projected road projects .
An announcement by the NRA official that no further financial provision or finality in planning had been made regarding the proposed route, which has been under debate at local authority level in the region for the past three years, was described as "devastating news" by Cavan councillor Andrew Boylan, a former Fine Gael TD.
He said he shared the "bitter disappointment" expressed by his colleagues in all the other counties which stood to benefit from the improved road infrastructure which the proposed east-west link would bring.
"It is not acceptable that the Government or the NRA does not view this project as a vital development for the north-east and east-west, in line with the National Development Plan," Mr Boylan added.
The authority's chairman, Cllr Pádraig McNally (Carrickmacross), told the delegates there was now obviously a great need for a strong political lobby to get the projected east-west route into a "priority list"
Last night, Cavan-Monaghan Fine Gael TD Seymour Crawford said the latest disclosure reflected "another false Government promise prior to the last general election that funds would be provided for the new east-west road link".
He added that the route would involve the major upgrading of several roads between towns and ensure easier access from industrial plants and ports.