1
Special Meeting of Slane Electoral Area held in The Chamber, Duleek Civic Offices at 5.15pm on Wednesday 7th March 2012
Subject matter:An Bord Pleanala Decision to Refuse Permission for development of Slane Bypass as per application made by MeathCounty Council, under Section 51 of the Roads Act ,1993 as per Decision dated 7th March 2012.
Cllr. Seamus O’Neill presided
Other Councillors Present:
Councillors: Wayne Harding, Eoin Holmes, Serena Campbell, Anne Dillon Gallagher,
Apologies: Cllr Jimmy Cudden
Officials Present:
Tom Dowling, Co Manager; Fiona Lawless, Director of Services, Slane Area; Brendan McGrath Director of Services Planning & Transportation; Jim Colwell, Slane Area Engineer; Nicholas Wyatt Senior Engineer.; Pat Gallagher, Senior Planner ;Maurice Kelly, Senior Executive Engineer NRDO ; Eugene Farrelly Slane Area Administrator;
Cllr O Neill opened the Meeting and thanked all for attending the Meeting called at such short notice following receipt of the Bords decision of earlier in the day.
The County Manager addressed the meeting and outlined the Bords decision to refuse the application on a 3 to 1 majority ruling with 2 reasons given –the first being that, “the Bord were not satisfied that alternatives to a bypass have been adequately explored” and secondly that “Although the proposed bypass of Slane would assist in alleviating the high traffic levels in the village in a north-south direction ,it would not alleviate east –west traffic movements.It would also be likely to attract additional traffic,including a substantial proportion of additional heavy commercial vehicles ,onto the single carriageway N2,along its length,and through the settlements of Collon and Ardee.”
Nicholas Wyatt provided further background details to the meeting in respect of the Inspectors Report and the recommendation as outlined in the Bords Decision with regard to examination of alternative options to address the traffic management issues for SlaneVillage. Brendan McGrath advised the meeting that a urgent meeting had been arranged with the NRA to discuss the matter further with regard to providing a range of solutions that could be examined further. The Members discussed the matter at some length and any questions raised were answered by the officials present.
The County Manager advised the members that a meeting had been arranged for 15th March next with the National Roads Authority and that a follow-up Report containing possible options to address the traffic management problems at Slane Village arising from the Bords Decision would be sought, and that the matter would be brought to the April Meeting of the Council for further discussion.
The Members agreed with the proposal to meet with the National Roads Authority and to bring a further Report to the April Meeting of the Council and that a Press Statement should issue next day setting out this position.
Cllr O Neill thanked all for their contributions and formally closed the meeting.
MinutesMarch, 2012 Slane Special Meeting
Meath County Council, Duleek One Stop Shop, Main Street, Duleek, CountyMeath