Ruling will leave N59 road plan dead in the water

A decision to refuse the upgrade for the N59 between Maam Cross and Clifden would result in even more deaths on a treacherous road and delay for many years any further development for Connemara.

That was the warning of Oughterard Councillor Thomas Welby who said this project – as well as the planned new coast road to replace the R336 – was now “dead in the water”.

An Bord Pleanála decided by a 3:1 majority vote to refuse to approve the proposed development in line with the Inspector’s recommendation.

The overriding reason was its potential impact on four European Sites – the Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Maumturk Mountains SAC and two Connemara Bog Complex SACs.

The project would have negatively affected the site’s blanket bog and Northern Atlantic wet heath –  dwarf shrubs such as heather on shallow bog, which are both Annex 1 – or protected habitats.

“In the absence of clear information in relation to the habitats which are within and adjacent to the proposed road development, it is not possible to conclude that the proposed road development would not result in the loss of such habitats, for which it is a stated conservation objective to maintain or restore the favourable conservation status.

“It is not, therefore, possible to conclude that the proposed road development, alone or in combination with other plans or projects, would not adversely affect the integrity of the European Sites in view of the sites’ conservation objectives.”

The consultant ecologist engaged on the project found that the degree to which “the integrity is affected [of the two priority habitats] is slight” – the overall area of land affected relative to the rest of the SAC was less than 0.02% in each case.

“This is potentially compounded by indirect effects (de-watering, etc) and ‘in combination effects’ from other developments but the situation is broadly unchanged.”

The ecologist also found it “technically possible” to create compensatory habitats in areas of degraded and damaged peatlands.

The Board found that Galway County Council had acted correctly in pursuing the project given the “sub-standard nature of the existing N59” in terms of width, alignment and surface quality and the improvements would result in traffic safety for all. They also applauded the fact they had followed the line of the existing road to minimise environmental concerns.

The Board considered approving certain sections of the project, which did not contains SACs. This was detailed in the Inspector’s report and amounted to 13.9km – or almost half the length of the proposed 29.4km.

However, three out of four members shared the Inspector’s concerns regarding the implications that would have on drainage, the location of wetland treatment areas for surface water run-off, the continuity of cycleways and footpaths and the diversion of services.

“The Board further considered that such an amended proposal would be significantly different from the one proposed for consideration and, therefore, did not pursue this option.”

Cllr Welby said these four SACs were the scene of fires every summer because they were under-grazed and left fallow.

“This is a road dotted with crosses where people have died and now there will be more after this decision,” he fumed.

“We’re talking about people’s lives – yet people are coming second best by far. It’s a bad day for Connemara and it’s a bad day for the people.”

The first section of the N59, Oughterard to Maam Cross, was approved by An Bord Pleanála but on condition Galway County Council work in cooperation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to minimise the impact on the environment.

Agreement has not been reached with the NPWS and that section of the road has been stalled, Cllr Welby stated.

“The NPWS are not a willing partner in these projects yet they pretend to be at the consultation table. They’re sending us back to the dark ages. This is a road which was 90% along the current N59. We might as well forget about the new coast road.”

This is the second major project in 18 months refused for Connemara due its landscape designation – a treatment plant was approved for Oughterard but an upgrade of the sewerage system – pipes laid since 1947 – were rejected.

The only way forward on the Maam Cross to Clifden project was to submit an application under the IROPI (imperative reasons of over-riding public interest) process – which would cost many millions more than it already has, he said.