EU Ruling Could Put Bypass to Back Burner

Date Published: 24-Jul-2008

THE €340m Galway City Outer Bypass now seems certain to be referred to the EU Commission after An Bord Pleanála give their decision on the project’s oral hearing next month – this development could stop, or at least seriously delay, the new stretch of roadway.

A slab of limestone pavement in the Menlo area – considered by the EU to be a ‘priority natural habitat’ – will now come under the scrutiny of the EU Commission’s environment section under the Habitats Directive.

Another environmental issue which will be looked at by the Commission under the Wildlife Act is a section of moycullen bogland and the effect the road could have on the bog cotton or ‘ceannbháin bhána’ in this area.

The Bord Pleanála (BP) decision on the outcome of the oral hearing on the stretch of roadway was expected next Tuesday – however the Connacht Tribune understands that this decision has now been put back to late August at the earliest. The BP inspector has yet to submit his final report on the objections.

However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are to refer the matter to the EU commission once the Bord Pleanála decision issues – that move could have major implications for…