MRAG response to
chambers
Dear sir - The Meath Roads Action Group's (MRAG) response
to the views of the Chambers of Commerce is that they
have not researched the M3 proposal. The MRAG presented a
detailed submission to the oral hearing that the wrong
route was chosen, using evidence from the Route Selection
Report, compiled by Halcrow Barry for the NRA.
One would expect the report to show that the chosen route
(B) is the best option but it recommends the P route in
terms of archaeology, built heritage, flora, fauna and
habitats, landscape and visual effects, air quality and
noise levels. In no category does it recommend the B
routes. The NRA states that "the chosen route was rated
as first or joint first in 14 out of 18 categories
assessed" but it has never responded to the above
evidence contained in its Route Selection Report.
There is also a question over whether the M3 is the best
option for the transport infrastructure deficit in Meath.
The Chambers of Commerce have a limited view and will
expect to benefit from any commercial development beside
the motorway.
Anybody who commutes to Dublin knows that no matter what
the traffic conditions are in the towns, they will always
get stuck in traffic jams at the Blanchardstown M50
junction.
A motorway bypassing Kells, Navan and Dunshaughlin will
simply send more traffic quicker into the bottleneck and
mean bigger jams. The proposal to upgrade this junction
comprises a series of flyovers and tunnels but it will
only move the jam a mile closer to the city.
Upgrading the M50 to three lanes will not solve the
problem, as it will have several new toll bridges on
it.
However, this is not the concern of the Chambers of
Commerce, which do not represent the thousands who
commute to Dublin every day. Their self-interest will not
help the majority of people.
A rail-line would be preferable. Meath is the only major
population centre close to Dublin that does not have a
commuter rail service. The Chambers of Commerce in Meath
should have been lobbying for one for at least the past
decade.
The majority of the objectors are not against the
motorway, they object to a section going through the
Tara/Skryne valley. If this section is moved the
objections will dissipate.
Archaeological experts have said there is a strong
possibility of discovering a major archaeological site in
the Tara area, which will result in lengthy delays or
even abandonment of the motorway.
If the proposal goes ahead as planned, there will be
legal challenges, which will result in further
delays.
The NRA (not the objectors) decided to postpone the
project to deal with the new archaeological sites.
Few of the "211 archaeological sites" discovered along
the M1 during construction were discovered at the
planning stage. The experts have warned that a lot more
sites will be discovered if construction is carried out
in the Tara/Skryne valley.
Yours sincerely,
BRENDAN MAGEE,
Bellinter,
Navan.
© The Meath Chronicle, 25th. December, 2004.
