CONTROVERSY OVER THE M3
Madam, - Contrary to the National Roads Authority's
condescending press advertisement, there has been very
little measured debate about the M3. Culturally it is, on
a national and international level, shortsighted and
regrettable. In terms of local cost-benefit, national
traffic management, and regional economic development, it
is insane.
Apart from safety, it appears to have one advantage in
that it will be quicker to drive from Dublin to Navan and
Kells. In the opposite direction, however, more traffic
will be funnelled towards the M50, having an adverse
effect on journey times not only along the route but
also, through a knock-on effect, on every road which
feeds into the M50. Can this really be the intention?
If a motorway was built from Portlaoise to Monaghan, with
a link to the M1, nearly all non-Dublin traffic would be
kept away from the M50.
This would vastly improve the traffic situation and
quality of life for everyone living or working in the
zone east of such a road. Access to Dublin from all
areas, including Navan and Kells, would be improved
simply by reason of reduced traffic volumes. Inter
regional access would be transformed.
There would be a serious economic boost for many regional
towns. That would be good not only for those towns but
also for Dublin, easing the pressure on commuting and
property prices. I fear that the M3 (and M2) would bring
in its wake huge pressure for inappropriate rezoning,
adding to the chaos in the Dublin region and sucking
development away from other areas.
In Ireland, development patterns are not strategically
planned but are haphazardly dictated by private and local
electoral interests. This is the principal underlying
cause of problems with traffic, urban sprawl and service
delivery, in Meath and elsewhere.
Of course this is a nettle which will never be grasped by
a Fianna Fáil administration, not even one with a
Teflon-coated Taoiseach, but it is amazing that An Bord
Pleanála, with its national remit, could sanction
such a scheme as the M3.
Yours, etc.,
CHARLES BAGWELL,
Straffan,
Co Kildare.
© The Irish Times, 17th. December, 2004.
