![]( "westernrouteoptions")
SAVE NEWGRANGE – PRESS RELEASE – 17 September 2010
‘N2 Slane Bypass Consultation Re-opens – Western Route Options Published’
The NRA and Meath County Council have today re-opened public consultation on the proposed N2 Slane Bypass, after being ordered to do so by An Bord Pleanala. The public can make or amend submissions to the Bord until October 15 2010.
The western route options for the proposed bypass, which impact Slane Castle, have been published, along with other additional information requested by An Bord Pleanala – including the potential impact on Brú na Bóinne Unesco World Heritage Site and archaeological reports on the sites that will be impacted by the bypass, if it proceeds.
Save Newgrange has already sent this information to the European Commission, to amend the complaint that was registered by the Commission in June of this year. The complaint states that the ‘preferred’ eastern route is too close to Bru na Boinne, passing on 500m from the site – and that the proposed bridge over the Boyne impacts too severely on the Boyne candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which is protected by EU law.
Save Newgrange is also sending this information to a number of other international bodies, including Unesco, World Monuments Fund, and the World Wildlife Fund, in a bid to build an international coalition of concern.
Vincent Salafia said:
“The western route will protect Bru na Boinne and Newgrange, Newgrange is known globally as the oldest building in the world, but will impact on Slane Castle.
“If it comes to a choice between passing 500m from Slane Castle or 500m from Bru na Boinne, it is a no-brainer. But neither important site should be damaged.
“We support the views of ESRI economist Dr Edgar Morgenroth, who recently called the bypass an ‘idiotic’ waste of taxpayers’ money, when a simple HGV ban would solve the traffic problems in Slane, and force HGVs to use the M1 – which is only 5 miles away.
“We call on Minster Dempsey to keep his promise, made last year, to implement the HGV ban, which was voted for unanimously by Meath County Councillors in April 2009.
ENDS
Contact – Vincent Salafia 087-132-3365
MORE INFORMATION
Additional information and maps:
Revised Non Technical Summary Pdf (6 mb)
Further Information Requested by An Bord Pleanála Volume 1 Pdf (25 mb)
Further Information Requested by An Bord Pleanála Volume 2 Pdf (38 mb)
New Unesco web site for Bru na Boinne
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING SUBMISSIONS
According to the legal notice published in The Irish Times and other newspapers in Ireland, on 17 September 2010:
“Submissions or observations in relation to the additional information may be made in writing on payment of a fee of 50 euro to:
An Bord Pleanala, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1
not later than 5.30pm on the 15th October 2010. Telephone 01-858-1000
