D-day for bypass as decision imminent

Date Published: 09-Oct-2009

HIGH Court judgments on judicial reviews of the planning procedures relating to the City Outer Bypass are expected to be delivered either later today or early next week in Dublin.

Evidence was heard earlier this summer in the review actions brought by the Hands Across the Corrib group and planning activist, Peter Sweetman – a judgment on a third review action is expected by mid-November.

The reviews related to the section of the bypass east of the Corrib which was given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála last December – in the same decision, the Planning Appeals Board turned down the western section of the bypass, because of its impact on the local bog environment.

This week, Deputy Frank Fahey, one of the staunchest supporters of the bypass project – estimated to cost between €350m and €400m – warned that the growth of the city would be put in jeopardy unless the bypass project was allowed to proceed.

“I really do think that it is disheartening to see the €800m Limerick Tunnel and the €600m Waterford Bypass all set to open over the next few months – absolutely fantastic jobs – while we remain bogged down in bureaucracy and objections with our project,” said Deputy Fahey.

The Government Minister took the unusual step this week of erecting two large roadside billboards in Barna and Knocknacarra pointing to where the bypass would ‘click in’ for residents west of the Corrib.

“I really do think we have to move on. What a difference it would make to take 10,000 cars out of the city every day and for people in the west side of the city to reach Galway Airport in 10 minutes.

“Once completed, it…