Planning application for Slane bypass just weeks away

News that a planning application for the Slane Bypass is expected to be lodged with An Bord Pleanala in the coming weeks has been welcomed after another serious incident involving a truck occurred in the village last week.

Local councillor Wayne Harding says it is "a miracle" that no one was badly injured after a truck lost control and mounted the footpath on the Mill Hill last Thursday, 4th August and stressed that a bypass is needed now more than ever.

"The director of transport (Meath Co Council) confirmed to me that he hoped an application for the Slane bypass will be lodged before October which is great news.

"The incident last week was just another reminder of the dangers of HGVs going through the village, it's a miracle no one was killed or seriously injured.

"The driver had problems with his brakes and mounted the footpath on the way down the hill. It must have been a terrible fright for the driver.

"He had a very lucky escape and luckily enough there were no pedestrians around because that was close to being a really dangerous incident.

"It is a reminder for the need of a bypass because there is a daily threat in the village."

The draft public realm plan for Slane that would transform Slane village, including removal of the overhead gantries, narrowing of the roads, extensive tree planting, new-look village garden and time restricted parking went on public display earlier this year.

Many of the proposals for the historic village are dependent on the provision of the long awaited bypass. Meath County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have identified a route for the bypass, which will facilitate the delivery of significant elements of the public realm plan, which will be submitted to Board Pleanala in the coming weeks.

Among the proposals is the reorganisation of the carriageway along N2 from the Square to Slane Bridge. This includes the removal of the overhead gantries and reducing the width of the carriages to 6.4 metres with two lanes of traffic and the provision of wide footpaths.

This proposal is dependent on the delivery of the Slane bypass and the removal of heavy goods vehicles from the village.

Plans include wider footpaths throughout the village to encourage walking and narrower carriageways to reduce speeds and encourage cycling.

The consultants have proposed extensive tree planting to enhance the character of the streetscape and reduce air pollution as well as pedestrian crossings on raised tables, resurfacing and planted verges.

It is proposed that materials, furniture and lighting proposals take into consideration the character and heritage in the village.

It also include the creation of a new village garden across from the Conyngham Arms Hotel with new tree planting, vegetation and furniture and a flexible central space for possible local events. It will feature a high quality paved space that is universally accessible and age friendly seating with armrests and backrests. The garden will include cycle parking opportunities, links to nearby shops and cafés, increased local biodiversity through the planting of native and naturalised trees, shrubs and herbaceous planting. Also in the plans is the installation of a public art piece.