Bypass single most important issue for future of Slane, says group

The N2 has visited misery, death and blight on the village of Slane over an unconscionable period of time, according to the Slane Forum. "It has brought death, destruction, damage and health problems to the community for generations." In its submission to the NRA on the proposed Slane bypass, the forum says the construction of the bypass is the most important single issue for the future of the village. "The removal of heavy traffic will be a significant step forward for Slane, County Meath and Ireland in recognising the international importance of its very special village heritage." The submission adds: "The local community and visitors are overwhelmed by the impact of the heavy traffic travelling unhindered through the heart of the village. It is noisy, dangerous, ugly; an offence to the legitimate expectation that a village community should be able to enjoy its own environment." The submission, which was compiled for the Forum by Professor Philip Geoghegan, notes that there are shops in the village which do not thrive and houses which, although significant architecturally, remain unoccupied. It said that the community of Slane was proud to be so close to a World Heritage Site, which is a part of its personal heritage, and would not wish to see any deterioration in the values of the World Heritage Site through inadequate planning. "At the same time, the urgency of the situation needs a fair and balanced interpretation of the competing values, based on the community's wish to create a model environmental solution for the future of the unique village. "Slane is a remarkable heritage village where its main street buildings are largely intact. But the N2 northwards has suffered so many years of road noise, pollution and vibration that the fabric has been unable to withstand it. The main buildings of the village, the hotel, churches, large houses and villas behind have all suffered degradation from the impact of traffic," the forum adds. Professor Geoghegan points out that the Mill building below Slane has a European significance as an 18th century early industrial revolution building. He suggests it will have a new possibility for tourism when the bridge is again usable by pedestrians and cyclists, and the village is accessible as a pleasant walk from the river. He says the Boyne Canal is another extraordinary piece of the landscape but its accessibility at present is seriously compromised by traffic. In the submission, Professor Geoghegan expresses approval for the route of the bypass in comparison with routes to the west of the village, which would necessitate a longer route and have a much more intrusive impact on the demesne landscapes. "Its distance from the village is optimal. The severance it will inevitably cause as a physical barrier still leaves sufficient residual space between village and bypass to provide a substantial landscape buffer, whilst allowing for future development of the village. The positioning of the roundabout means that there is no new barrier to movement form the village eastwards, although the route will act as a clear development limit." He says the design challenge is to produce a bridge which is graceful and appears to rise out of the landscape, and preferably not straddling the river from one embankment to the other as is indicated on the preliminary design drawings. He suggests there should be an international competition for the design of the bridge to select the most exciting, creative and beautiful design which will become a landmark point in the valley. The submission adds the bridge should incorporate both pedestrian and cycle routes, with the opportunity for people to stop and walk to the centre of the bridge to admire the view on both sides, which will be exceptional.