Slane community urges former attorney general to drop High Court challenge to bypass

Sarah Slater

Community, business and sporting bodies are appealing to a former attorney general to end a judicial review of the approved N2 bypass of Slane village, which is to start in the High Court on Thursday.

A letter signed by representatives of 30 local community, business and tourism interests, residents groups and sporting organisations in the Co Meath village, has been given to John Rogers, the former attorney general and local businessman who lives in Crewbane, Slane, pleading with him to withdraw the case.

Locals have been campaigning for 25 years to have the village bypassed in a bid to divert traffic away from the narrow bridge over the Boyne, which is a notorious accident blackspot due to a sharp descent.

The judicial review, they argue, could delay the bypass for several years, putting more lives at risk.

Twenty-three people have been killed, and numerous people have been injured in traffic incidents in the village.

The Bypass Slane Campaign was formed in 2009 following an incident involving nine vehicles, including a lorry and a van.

The former attorney general applied for a judicial review last September into the decision by An Commisiún Pleanála to grant permission.

The legal challenge came following the granting of a planning application for the bypass by An Coimisiún Pleanála last June in the wake of a public oral hearing. Thirteen years ago, permission was denied over concerns about the impact on heritage.

Mr Rogers, a senior counsel, says his lands will be affected by the proposed bypass.

In an affidavit, Mr Rogers stated that petrifying streams on the lands are particularly affected. Crewbane Marsh floods multiple times a year, and An Coimisiún Pleanála had not obtained expert hydrologist advice about the impact of proposed deep trenching for the proposed route.

When it approved Meath County Council’s application for permission last June, the commission did not have an adequate expert report concerning this significant road project adjacent to the Unesco Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site of Outstanding Natural Value, which includes the Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange, he also argues.

In the High Court in September last, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys fixed a hearing date for Mr Roger's action for January 15th and 16th next.

Meath County Council had asked for the case to be heard as soon as possible.

The residents’ letter outlines that planning permission had been granted following one of the most comprehensive and thorough applications to have taken place in the State.

Those who signed the letter point out that news of the review came as a “very significant disappointment to many” in the Slane community.

They added: “While you may feel that you have very good reasons for deciding to take this action, please consider that this project will deliver a substantial public good in that it will significantly reduce dangers to road-users travelling through Slane village.”

Additionally, the groups said that the scheme will lead to “significant improvements” in the environment of the village and will improve the quality of life for residents as well as those using the services in the village.

"It is clear,” they noted that there is “very significant and strong support” for the scheme among the Slane community, and indeed further afield.

“You (Mr Rogers) are very well aware of the dangers posed by the current road configuration and, also, of the long list of traffic incidents to have taken place on the N2 over decades, many of which have unfortunately resulted in death,” the groups highlighted.

They asked Mr Rogers that on behalf of their community, to “reconsider” his decision to engage in a judicial review and “withdraw” the application and allow the project to “proceed without further delay.”

The bypass project includes a 3.5km dual carriageway around Slane with a combined footway/cycleway, a 258-metre-long bridge over the River Boyne, and a number of public realm enhancements within Slane village. The scheme also includes improved traffic management measures and works on the N51 between the proposed bypass and the centre of the village.

Michelle Power, a local resident, said that to be within “touching distance“ of getting the bypass and to be informed that a judicial review is now being taken by a person locally is “gut-wrenching”.

“The village, which includes the residents, businesses, sporting groups etc, is never but a hair’s breadth away from another fatal or multiple accidents daily. So many lives have been lost over the years from traffic incidents in the village. Slane needs to be allowed to be a village, and the bypass will allow this to happen,” explained Ms Roche.

She said that Meath County Council had ensured that the application for by-pass permission was thorough and that they had been reassured that, with several National Development plans that funding would be available if planning was approved.

“We as a community are so angry as we are very engaged and have come together to write this letter to the individual involved in the judicial review, as we don’t know what else to do. It would be really amazing if the person dropped or withdrew this”.

Fianna Fáil councillor and Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Wayne Harding added that the letter “is very dignified and the entire community is asking for this review to stop. Lives are being put at risk not to mention those which have been lost and the effect this has had on so many. People are just so annoyed.”

Mr Rogers was contacted for comment.