‘M2/N2/A5 Dublin-Derry Motorway Community Groups to Co-Operate on MotorwayCampaign’

Three campaign groups, working on different sections of the proposed M2/N2/A5 motorway, which will eventually run from Dublin to Derry, have agreed to work co-operatively.

Save Newgrange will work in co-operation with the Alternative A5 Alliance, based in Northern Ireland, and the Don’t Bypass the Bypass campaign group in Monaghan, to share information and assist the public in participating in the different consultations under way.

The Alternative A5 Alliance is challenging the need for the upgrade of the A5 primary route, from the Border to Derry, which at 55 miles will be the longest single road project ever undertaken in Northern Ireland. Northern and Southern roads authorities are planning this section of the road together, and the Irish Government has committed to pay for a share of it.

Don’t Bypass the Bypass are challenging the need to for the new N2 Clontibret to the Border plan, which will bypass the N2 Monaghan bypass, opened just four years ago’ by Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey.

Save Newgrange is opposing the N2 Slane Bypass route, which runs just 500m from the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site, and will impact over 44 archaeological sites. We have challenged the public consultation process as being flawed, since the people of Northern Ireland were excluded.

All three groups are currently asking the public to make submissions to Monaghan County Council on the route selection process for the N2 Clontibret to the Border project. Due to public outcry locally, the deadline for submissions has been extended to 31 of August. The cost of making submissions is free, and they can be emailed to the council’s Roads Division. (lmcdonal@monaghancoco.ie)

Lynne Smyth, Secretary of the Alternative A5 Alliance, said:

“The Alternative A5 Alliance is delighted to be able to cooperate with the other campaign groups along the route of this proposed road. Together we must alert the people of Ireland to the catastrophe these ‘ghost roads’ will cause.

“This is not the time to be tarmacing over our farmland and natural habitat. It is time to seek a sustainable transport option which will serve our future needs as well as that of our grandchildren – as they will be paying for it.

Noel Murphy, a spokesman for Don’t Bypass the Bypass, said:

“Its great to be working in co-operation with the other groups, and we need to remain so going forward. We are calling on all members of the public to make submissions to Monaghan County Council, and challenge this outrageous waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Vincent Salafia of Save Newgrange said:

“We are delighted to have North-South co-operation between our community groups
along the proposed M2/A5. The people of Northern Ireland should have a say in
what happens to the Brú na Bóinne Unesco World Heritage Site, since they are
paying for part of the road that will severely impact it.”

“We welcome the intervention of Dr Edgar Morgenroth, associate economist with
the ESRI, who said the N2/M2 plans are “idiocy’, and called for the HGV ban to
be implemented in Slane.

ENDS

Contact: Vincent Salafia 087-132-3365
http://www.savenewgrange.net
http://twitter.com/savenewgrange

Lynne Smyth +44-(0)7515 066970
http://www.alternativea5alliance.com

Noel Murphy 087-656-0363
http://www.dontbypassthebypass.com

SAVE NEWGRANGE – PRESS RELEASE – 20 August 2010

“Boyne Valley Ranking in ‘Top Ten Hidden Beauty Spots in Ireland’ Welcomed”

Save Newgrange welcomes the publication today of the list of ‘Top Ten Hidden Beauty Spots in Ireland’, by the main Irish-American media outlet, Irish Central. All ten sites are described as being “Off the beaten track but more beautiful than ever.”

The article states: “We all know the Ireland of Saints and Scholars, Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse and Dublin Castle, not to mention the Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher. But what about a trip to the hidden Ireland, where few tourists go? Here are the top ten hidden beauty spots that will make your vacation there very special.”  Ranking at No. 10, the Boyne Valley is described as:

“Stretching through large parts of counties Louth and Meath an unparalleled area of great historical importance, minutes North from Dublin Airport.  Following the path of the Boyne River, Newgrange and other historical sites, including the Battle of the Boyne heritage site can be seen. Helpful road signs direct you to the highlights.”

The ranking shows how important the Boyne Valley is to both Irish tourism and the Irish abroad, and reinforces how every effort must be made to preserve the delicate natural beauty and cultural sites in the area.

Vincent Salafia of Save Newgange said:  “We are delighted that Irish Central has recognised the importance of Newgrange, since this supports our arguments for preservation.  Save Newgrange will use this ranking as evidence at the An Bord Pleanala hearing for the N2 Slane bypass, expected to take place in the coming months.  Save Newgrange is also asking Irish Central to publicize the Irish Heritage Rights survey, which is being promoted during Heritage Week, so Irish abroad have an opportunity to have their say with the UN.

Meath Chronicle – Wednesday, 7th July, 2010 4:58pm
Profile by Ann Casey

As the controversy over the proposed Slane bypass continues to rage, Meath County Council is preparing to close Slane bridge next Monday night and Tuesday morning for a structural investigation.  The temporary road closure will allow the council assess the condition of the bridge and what repair works are necessary on the structure, which has been damaged over the years by traffic accidents and fallen trees in the river hitting it.

The bridge, which has been the scene of many fatal accidents over the years, will be closed from 9pm next Monday night to 6am on Tuesday morning. Northbound traffic will be diverted from the N2 through Kentstown and Navan, onto the Navan-Slane road and southbound traffic will be diverted along the same route. The investigation comes in response to visible damage to the arches of the bridge believed to have been caused by fallen trees being swept along in the current and striking the bridge over the years. The eastern wall of the bridge has also been repeatedly damaged over the years by traffic accidents.

Meanwhile, as Meath County Council continues to prepare its response to An Bord Pleanala to a further information request on routes to the west of the village, the owner of Slane Castle, Henry Mountcharles, said the western route identified runs in close proximity to the rear of the castle, cuts right through the heart of the estate and an area of special conservation near a national monument.  “It is ludicrous in the extreme. This route is twice the length of the submitted route and is vastly more expensive and would completely obliterate a hostel and farmhouse,” he said.

The western route was not included in the environmental impact study prepared for the current application and had been discounted by Meath County Council several years ago as a result of feasibility studies. Lord Mountcharles said that because the western route had not been included in the planning application or EIS, he had not made a submission on the issue to An Bord Pleanala. The deadline had passed and he was now denied the right to make a submission. His son, Alex Mountcharles, had made a submission, but only on the proposal before the planning board. Cllr Wayne Harding said there was no viable route to the west and the people of Slane had waited long enough. “The selection process has gone on for the past 10 years,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Save Newgrange campaign is calling on the Meath County Manager, Tom Dowling, to immediately implement a ban on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Slane. They point out that over 1,200 HGVs a day pass through Slane, destroying the fabric of the village, and posing a serious threat to local residents. “The HGV ban in Slane should be implemented immediately, in the interests of public safety, now that a final bypass decision has been delayed,” said Vincent Salafia of Save Newgrange.

“An Bord Pleanala may reject the Slane Bypass proposal outright, as it passes through a candidate Area of Special Convervation (SAC), which runs both east and west of Slane, along the Boyne. A final decision on the bypass could be years away, and public safety of local residents must take priority,” he said.  Mr Salafia claimed there was no logical reason for the council’s refusal to implement the ban, other than to “unfairly pressurise the planning authorities” into approving the bypass.

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An Bord Pleanála considers alternative route for Slane bypass west of village

The Irish Times – Friday, July 2, 2010
ELAINE KEOGH

AN BORD Pleanála is considering changing the route of a Slane bypass so it will run west of the village but this will bring it just 500m from Slane Castle and its famous concert site. Meath County Council has applied for planning permission for a 3.5km route to the east of the village which is on the N2 and has been the scene of multiple fatal accidents.  The planning board confirmed it has received 110 submissions on the proposed eastern route and has now asked the council to give it more information on a possible route to the west.  A spokesman said: “The board wants to satisfy itself that the alternatives were discounted; it is exploring all options and ensuring other alternatives were explored.”

The route put forward by the council includes a new 19m high bridge 1km east of Slane but the dual-carriageway would pass some 500m from the buffer zone of Brú na Boinne, the world heritage site that is home to Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The provisional path of the western route would involve demolishing some local businesses and has met with strong opposition from the landowners involved, including the Conyngham family who own Slane Castle.  “If they think I am a pushover they have another thing coming,” said Sir Henry Mountcharles, who spent 10 years restoring Slane Castle after it was gutted by fire in 1991.

Paddy Macken’s family have been living at Harlinstown for over 70 years and have three family businesses there, including Slane Farm cottages and hostel.  “This route would wipe out a lifetime’s work by my parents, me and my children. The route would go through the yard and house and takes the lot out,” he said yesterday. “It is just not a viable option; it looks to be three times longer and the terrain is totally unsuitable and impractical. “It doesn’t make sense and is squandering money,” Mr Mcken said.

An Bord Pleanála says the planning process is “in its infancy”, and no decision had been made on whether to hold an oral hearing into the proposed route. However, locals believe the date for a hearing is imminent, and fear a new route will delay the building of the bypass and risk more crashes. Slane councillor Wayne Harding (FF) said: “The best route has been picked; it has taken more than 10 years to get to this stage; the people of Slane have waited long enough.”

According to Sir Henry serious questions have to be answered about “a planning process that can take us back to stage one again and delay the building of the road.Meath County Council discounted this route years ago based on its feasibility study. To propose this now is nothing short of lunacy.” Meath County Council said: “An Bord Pleanála has requested further information on the Slane bypass scheme and one of the questions relates to details of the examination of an alternative route to the west of the village. A response is being prepared to that letter.”

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Battle lines over by-pass drawn – BBC NI News  – 1 June 2010

Villagers in Slane, County Meath, on the main Londonderry to Dublin road, have long campaigned for a bypass – 22 people have been killed there in the last 20 years. But as BBC NI Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison now reports, heritage campaigners believe the planned bypass is too close to ancient monuments like Newgrange.  Slane, with its many hanging baskets, is a pretty place, especially when it’s bathed in sunshine.But the village, famous for rock concerts by the green grassy slopes of the Boyne, has a steep descent to the river and many a truck has had problems braking before its narrow bridge. Villagers like Michele Power has her own reasons for wanting a by-pass.

In March of last year she and her toddler daughter had, in her words, a miraculous escape when a truck crashed. Motorists encounter a steep hill, before crossing a narrow bridge Motorists encounter a steep hill, before crossing a narrow bridge. She said she and Trudy had just finished the school run when she heard a lot of bangs.”I looked in my rear view mirror when I saw a truck coming up behind me pushing a load of cars in my direction.
“It was very scary and I really thought we were going to die,” she added.

Motorists passing through the village see 22 white crosses nailed to a stone wall, a reminder about the number of people killed in traffic accidents in Slane over the last two decades. Joanne Macken, a self-catering accommodation provider, believes a bypass is essential. “The amount of traffic and lorries is just ruining the village and there have been so many deaths and accidents the sooner we get it the better,” she said.

Peadar Hevey, whose house overlooks the bridge, said he has seen so many accidents there that as soon as he hears the familiar bang associated with a crash he just rings “999 before going to see the extent of the injuries. I’ve seen 95% of all the crashes there”. While there’s an acceptance that the village on the main Dublin to Derry road needs to do something about its traffic problem some business people quietly mutter that now in these recessionary times is not the right moment for a bypass that would take away passing trade.  Some think a by-pass would disturb archaeological sites like Newgrange. Nonsense, said Brian McIvor, who runs his own training company. “The 1,100 trucks that pass through Slane every day do not do business in Slane. So, that argument does not stack up,” he said.

The Republic’s National Roads Authority, the NRA, wants to build a dual carriage-way by-pass across the Boyne, not too far from Bru na Boinne, the World Heritage site that includes the ancient monuments of Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange.For campaigners like Vincent Salafia that is just too much. He says the bypass would “impact on at least 44 archaeological sites which are probably part of the complex itself”. “We also feel the consultation that is being done for the development should have been north-south because the road goes from north to south and the people of Northern Ireland should have a say about what happens to a world heritage site,” he added.

Conor Brady, a villager, can see both sides of the argument because his wife suffered minor injuries in a road accident in Slane and he lectures in archaeology. But he he said the proposed bypass “is outside the buffer zone”. “The buffer zone isn’t officially part of the world heritage site,” said Mr Brady. “When they set up the site this buffer zone was set up to protect the heritage in terms of views and impact of development.” With no decision imminent on whether the Slane bypass will go ahead, the battle lines are now drawn. Once again difficult issues like road safety and protecting heritage appear set on a collision course – it’s a very modern Irish story.

Board seeks more technical information on Slane bypass

Meath Chronicle: Wednesday, 26th May, 2010 4:56pm

A request by Bord Pleanala for further information on the Slane bypass has been welcomed by local councillor, Wayne Harding, who said it would help clear up a number of issues.  Stressing the need to proceed with the project as quickly as possible, Cllr Harding pointed out that the board has sought further information on proposed routes to the west of the village. The route which is currently the subject of a planning application runs east of the village.

“The board sought more technical information on routes to the west. I have no problem with that as it will show that the route to the west is not viable,” he said. “I want to see as much information as possible forwarded to Bord Pleanala. The more information sought and the more elaborate the plan, the better the scheme will be and it will be better for Slane,” Cllr Harding added.  Cllr Harding said it was very important that the scheme proceeds as quickly as possible because of the dangers facing the people of Slane and those travelling through the village very day. Meanwhile, Bord Pleanala has confirmed that there will be an oral hearing on the N2 Slane bypass in the coming months, but a date has yet to be fixed.

The Save Newgrange Campaign had made written objections to the scheme, and filed an EU complaint about the development. Save Newgrange is also calling on the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, to immediately present the National Monuments Bill to the Oireachtas for passage, in order to protect the Bru na Boinne UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The group is also calling on the minister to make his position on the bypass known before planning permission is granted. Minister Gormley announced that the Bill was approved by the Government last month but it has not gone before the Oireachtas.

Save Newgrange spokesman, Vincent Salafia, said: “The minister must immediately present the Bill for passage, or it is likely that Bord Pleanala will approve the N2 route, leading to long delays due to protest and legal action.  “The Bill is already years overdue, and it must be passed before the Dail breaks for summer, or Bru na Boinne will be under threat. The minister must also take a position on the N2 route now, so as to inform An Bord Pleanala in their decision-making. We don’t want a repeat of Tara,” he added.

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