Slane Bypass Group gain more support from Fine Gael
17th Dec 2010
Press Release
Slane Bypass Group gain more support from Fine Gael
Deputy Phil Hogan, FG Spokesperson for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has met with local members of the Slane Bypass Group and has pledged his support for the building of a new bridge just outside the village of Slane.
The meeting which took place on Tuesday (14th December) was attended by Deputy Hogan, Deputy Shane McEntee, Councilor Ann Dillon Gallagher and five members of the Bypass committee.
At the meeting the members expressed their concerns to Deputy Hogan. These concerns are for the village of Slane and indeed for the safety of the people living in and around the village due to the heavy traffic flow. Prominent member of the committee Michele Power told of how she had witnessed a lorry, whose brakes had failed, come crashing towards her car while she was stopped at traffic lights in the village.
“I heard a loud crash and looked in my rear mirror. The lorry was coming down the hill hitting car after car on its way. The lights were red so I couldn’t drive on. I had my kids in the car with me and I was terrified, it is not something I want to witness again.”
Deputy Hogan examined the proposed plans for the new bridge and was satisfied that they did not threaten the heritage of the area in any way. He also walked through the village himself and saw first hand the sheer amount of lorries and traffic passing through. He said in the meeting:
“I cannot believe the amount of traffic going through the village. You take your life into you own hands even crossing the road. Surely that amount of heavy traffic as well must have some kind of effect on the structure of the old buildings. Slane is full of beautiful old buildings but the foundations will be severely damaged by this amount of traffic.”
The budget which was announced last week listed Slane Bridge as a high priority on its list of infrastructure items. Under a Fine Gael Government Deputy Hogan sees no reason why the bypass could not go ahead.
Deputy McEntee who organized the meeting hopes that a decision will be made by An Bord Pleanala as soon as possible.
“It has taken nearly ten years for planning to get this far. The people on the committee have fought hard to get it where it is and I only hope that we can see it through. Slane needs this new bridge.”
Ends
Fine Gael Press Statement
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Constituency Office Helen McEntee Shane McEntee TD
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