Transport plan to be
launched
By - Unknown.
What is being described as "a radical breakthrough" by
promoters of sustainable development and archaeological
and cultural heritage in the Tara-Skyrne Valley will be
launched today (Wednesday) by those involved in the
campaign to reroute the M3 motorway away from the area,
which, they say, represents a "win-win" solution for all
sides.
The Meath "MASTER" Plan - standing for Meath
Archaeological Sustainable and Economic Region - is
described as an advanced development plan that would be a
model for sustainable economic development in Ireland,
deliver a state-of-the-art transport network for Meath,
preserve and develop heritage in the region and
facilitate greatly increased tourist activity.
The Meath MASTER Plan has been researched and developed
by independent transport researcher Brian Guckian and
environmental campaigner Tadhg Crowley, who have been
involved in the ongoing campaign against the M3 through
the Tara-Skryne valley. They will stress that the
development framework draws upon the ideas of local and
national groups over the last number of years, as well as
the very latest concepts in sustainable planning and
development.
The plan also solves the current legal issues around the
M3 motorway, preserves the Tara landscape, provides the
much needed bypasses of Dunshaughlin and Navan, cuts CO2
emissions and avoids any re-routing, they say.
Its promoters say it could be carried out immediately
without rendering the existing roadworks redundant, and
would permit the designation of the region as a UNESCO
World Heritage site, with all the economic and
developmental benefits that this would bring.
A key element of the MASTER plan is that the M3 motorway
is retained to Roestown, north of Dunshaughlin, but would
then switch to an upgraded "2+1" format on the existing
N3 (2+1 through the valley) as far as Blundelstown. At
Blundelstown, the M3 would continue, also in the 2+1
format, to Carnaross, north of Kells.
The new road would be toll-free as the modifications to
the motorway would save very significantly on the capital
costs, which would then be used to buy out the PPP
contract and the tolls.
At the same time, the long awaited Navan rail link, for
which design work is currently in hand, would be brought
forward for rapid implementation and would have it's
northern terminus at Kells. Other sustainable transport
features would include upgraded high-capacity and
high-frequency coach services. The transport elements of
the plan estimated to generate environmental benefits of
at least €114 million per annum.
The land within the Tara valley purchased for the M3
could instead be held in State ownership and designated
for heritage interpretation and protection. The extent of
the World Heritage site area would also encompass the
five major centres of Navan, Kells, Trim, Dunshaughlin
and Slane, bringing a major tourist and economic dividend
for the region, it's promoters say.
The campaigners are seeking backing for the new proposal
from all parts of the political and public spectrum, both
nationally and internationally. The plan is to be
launched at a press briefing to be introduced by Kathy
Sinnott MEP at the Dublin offices of the European
Parliament this afternoon (Wednesday).
© The Meath Chronicle, 1st. September 2007.
