Vehicle weight restrictions

Dear Sir - On behalf of Slane History and Archaeology Society, I should like to add my voice to those who have expressed outrage at the near-tragic accident which occurred at the centre of our village on Monday [last week]. It was, indeed, 'an accident waiting to happen.' Over 20 white, wooden crosses, inset into a stone wall adjacent to Slane bridge, and at the foot of the steep gradient which leads onto it, bear tragic but eloquent testimony to the appalling situation which pertains in Slane with regard to HGVs, and to the many, many lives that have been lost as a result of these vehicles 'loss of control' as they attempt, simultaneously, to dramatically reduce speed as they reach the end of the steep gradient, which leads both into and out of the village, and make the 90 degree turn onto the bridge itself. We have been enormously encouraged that, in the aftermath of Monday"s appalling events, some local politicians have, for the first time, spoken of the urgent need to 'divert traffic away from the centre of the village.' The members of Slane Historical and Archaeology Society would like to express its wholehearted support for this measure. However, out of a very real fear that it will remain no more than a suggestion, or aspiration, without becoming a reality, we would like to draw attention to the existence of a comprehensive report on Slane village, called 'Slane at the Crossroads", researched and compiled by Philip Geoghegan, which was commissioned jointly by Meath County Council and Slane Community Forum, and launched in 2008 by Mr. Noel Dempsey, TD for Meath and Minister for Transport. This report identifies 'the ever increasing volume of traffic and the massive scale of the trucks' which travel through the village as the cause of the 'misery' which threatens to 'overwhelm' Slane. Philip Geoghegan is emphatic that, while a bypass of the village, is essential to the long-term future of Slane, there exists an interim solution which he says, 'must be implemented as an urgent matter of safety'. The solution identified by Philip Geoghegan, would be quick, relatively easy, and indeed, inexpensive, to put in place. It is: a weight restriction on traffic travelling on the N2 north-south and south-north. The implementation of weight restrictions on the N2, on routes North-South and vice versa, will not, of course, solve all of the problems relating to the dangers of excessive traffic in Slane village. We are fully aware of this but we submit that this interim measure must be implemented as a matter of urgency. Is mise le meas, Sheila Crehan (secretary), Slane History and Archaeology Society, Slane.