High court challenge to decide fate of Bypass

Date Published: 25-Jun-2009

TWO legal challenges against the 15km ‘eastern’ stretch of the Galway City Outer Bypass are set to be heard in the High Court next Tuesday.

The cases will be heard in the High Court’s Commercial Court arm, which is designed to fasttrack big business cases, on the grounds of the cost and urgency for the €317.5million roads project, and that fact that €12million has already been spent on it.

Meanwhile, Galway West TD Frank Fahey, who is also Chairman of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, has described the situation where four Government departments are on opposing sides in the case as “ludicrous”.

The first legal action is being taken by an environmental group called Hands Across the Corrib Ltd. which has claimed that An Bord Pleanala’s decision at the end of last year was based on a flawed Environmental Impact Assessment and argue that an efficient public transport system would suit commuters better.

The second case is being taken by environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman from Dublin – a self-appointed planning watchdog – who has claimed the Bypass would adversely impact on Lough Corrib as a candidate Special Area of Conservation.

He is also…