Campaigners 'ecstatic' as green light given for Slane Bypass
The long awaited Slane bypass has been granted planning permission.
More than a quarter of a century after campaigning began, An Coimisiún Pleanála has given the green light for the Slane Bypass and Public Realm plan.
The bypass will take traffic away from the narrow bridge over the Boyne that has been a notorious accident blackspot for decades. The sharp descent to the bridge has been the scene of at least 23 fatal accidents.
Local councillor and Meath County County Council Cathaoirleach Wayne Harding said he was absolutely delighted.
"It is a great day for the village of Slane and the many people who have campaigned for the bypass over the decades.
It is a great day for the staff and children of Slane National School as it will make their journey to school much safer.
"Of course, today, we must remember all those who lost their lives in accidents in the village or who suffered terrible injuries.
"Today is a great day and is a testament to all those who campaigned for so long."
Minister Thomas Byrne welcomed the news: “I want to pay tribute to the people of Slane who have worked and campaigned for decades for the bypass. Today is the culmination of their hard work and dedication to the project and their motivation to make Slane a safer place to live and work.
“The Slane bypass will enhance safety in the village, provide an enhanced living environment within the historic village, reduce journey times and traffic delays in the vicinity of Slane and enhance access between Dublin and the north west region.
“Both Councillor Wayne Harding and I will keep pushing hard for the swift delivery of this project. We will continue to exert as much pressure as I possibly can to get the job under way as soon as possible."
A spokesperson for Meath County Council said they were delighted to announce the approval of the N2 Slane Bypass and Public Realm Enhancement Scheme, and confirmation of the CPO associated with it.
The N2 Slane Bypass and Public Realm Enhancement Scheme comprises 3.5km of a mainline N2 dual carriageway bypass, a bridge approximately 258m long crossing the River Boyne, three roundabouts, the realignment of 1.4km of the N51 National Road and Public Realm improvement and traffic management measures in Slane Village.
The Bypass will take traffic to the east of the village. It will be 3.4km long and runs from the existing N2 at a location 500m north of McGruder's crossroads.
It continues through Fennor and Crewbane and the route crosses the Boyne 630m east of the existing Slane Bridge. It then goes on through the townlands of Cashel and Mooretown and passes Ledwidge Cottage on the Drogheda side. It rejoins the N2 some 4 to 5m north of the entrance to Grassland Agro Plant.
It will include a major 258 metre bridge crossing the Boyne. The scheme will also include a combined footway/cycleway and three roundabouts.
The Public Realm Plan includes the reconfiguration of the junction at The Square in Slane, as well as the provision of a car park on the N51, east of The Square.
There are proposals for shared footway/cycleway facilities, including a pedestrian/cyclist bridge to the existing Boyne Canal towpath with access to the car park from existing N2 south of The Square junction.