Road 500m from buffer zone --not Newgrange
CONTROVERSY OVERSHADOWS GREAT DAY FOR VILLAGE
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CONTROVERSY surrounding the proximity of the proposed route of the Slane bypass to Newgrange overshadowered what should have been joyous news for the residents of the beleagured village after the National Roads Authority released an environment impact study for the route.
However John Ryle, of the Slane Bridge Action Group moved swiftly to contradict reports that the bypass would run just 500 metres from the edge of the ancient Newgrange complex.
'Around Newgrange we have what is called a buffer zone and the new bridge for the bypass will be 500 metres outside that buffer zone, not 500 metres from Newgrange,' Mr Ryle said.
'It will not be seen from Newgrange and it will not be seen from Dowth, it might be seen from Knowth but it will be over 1km away.'
Planning permission for the 3.5km dual carriageway has been sought from An Bord Pleanala, and the NRA said the proposed route would have the 'least impact' on the archaeology and heritage of the area.
The bypass will start north of the Grasslands premises on the Collon road and will end the Slane side of McGrudders Cross on the Dublin Road. Included in the scheme is a new bridge over the River Boyne, which will be around 200 metres long.
Mr Ryle said that Slane Bridge Action Group will be encouraging all organisations and associations in the area to make submissions to An Board Pleanala in support of the proposed route.
'We want to show that the full weight of the community is behind this bypass. This is a great opportunity for the people of Slane to reclaim their village as a decent place to live in.
'We want to put an end to any more deaths or carnage on the Mill Hill. Most accidents, the fatal ones and bad injuries resulted from runaway trucks and all the traffic calming measures in the world will not control a runaway truck.
'The people of Slane are living in dread every time they come down the street, either walking or in a car.'
As well as 22 deaths there have also been numerous non fatal accidents over the years with the residences of the picturesque village suffering greatly because of the sheer volume of traffic that goes through Slane every day.
In addition to normal traffic 1,600 heavy goods vehicles pass through the village daily.
'Look at all the businesses that have closed down in the village, no one wants to go to Slane anymore,' Mr Ryle continued. 'The old people are afraid to cross the road and children have to be accompanied by adults up to the school.
'The people of Slane are entitled to live in an environment with modern standards and not be living in fear of something happening to them. We have got to get our village back, it has been held hostage by traffic for years.'
- Sean WALL
