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Thursday, March 04, 2010
Bypass on track
NEW ROSS BYPASS is back on track after the High Court threw out a challenge yesterday (Tuesday), crucially refusing leave to appeal.
An Bord Pleanála’s approval of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the bypass has been the subject of a Judicial Review, initiated by Dublin man Peter Sweetman.
Deputy Sean Connick previously voiced his fears that if this Judicial Review is favourable to the An Bord Pleanála decision, it is still subject to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Fianna Fáil TD was concerned that the Compulsory Purchase Order approval may expire before the legal review of the EIS approval is complete.
A beaming Deputy Connick told the New Ross Echo: “I am delighted. We were worrying that the complainant would be granted leave to appeal and we would get mired in the legal system, but he was refused so it’s back on track. The Minister said he didn’t foresee any problem in progressing plans for the bypass with plans for the Enniscorthy bypass so that they would be completed together.”
He said the original Public Private Partnership plan for the two bypasses to be funded together is now likely to continue.
Early last month the two projects were severed, causing great concerns locally about the likelihood of a quick start date for the bypass. According to Deputy Connick, the Transport Minister Noel Dempsey told him contracts should be signed for the Enniscorthy and Ross bypasses by the end of 2011.
Funding for the New Ross Bypass, (which is expected to cost €300m), was approved in Christmas 2008, but there was a delay in progressing it as a decision was awaited on the Enniscorthy bypass.
“In recent times the NRA decoupled the two projects, but they should be added back together next week. We will target contract signings for both projects for late 2011. Design and building team contracts will go out to tender. Hopefully it will be a win-win for the local economy in terms of job creation, supplies and getting concrete and stone.”
Both bypasses are expected to cost half a billion euro. The New Ross bypass will be 14km long, running from Ballymacar to Glenmore Hill, with a new bridge at Pink Rock.
“This is great for the whole South East. It completes the road network from Belfast all around the country, through Wexford around to Cork and Galway. It’s one of the last road projects to be completed.”
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