Slane bypass will remove the fear

Dear sir, I write in relation to the further information which is on display concerning the Slane bypass. I have made some additional points to my original submission. 1. Slane is now nearly two years from its last major accident and so therefore the huge detail of this project can, in the cold light of day be forensically inspected and this is welcome. However as the people of Slane only know to well, the clock is ticking towards another one and the impact of major road traffic accidents on the community is immense and devastating. There has been accidents in the village that have had an emotional impact on every man woman and child in Slane. Should one occur at any stage in this project’s process, the community will not stand for some of the debate that has entered into this vital piece of infrastructure for the village. It would be remiss not to take account of the devastating emotional impact while assessing the merits of this project. 2. I would also suggest that as part of any winning tender for the project that there is monies made available for a large community/ heritage initiative within the Slane village environs. The extraordinary levels of traffic have been detrimental to the village and this would go in some way as compensation for the aforementioned emotional trauma. 3. It is obvious from the FI that a western route is not viable and the the selected route is the best the village can get. 4. The route must be toll free and there must be a strategic plan put in place around the village, 'post bypass’ to maximise its effect and for it to be as beneficial as it possibly can be for Slane village. This can be achieved by a HGV ban not only from north south traffic but also a ban on all HGV traffic that is entering Slane from the east and is then travelling north or south. All of this traffic most use the Slane by pass. It is also important that as part of the scheme the east and west entrances on the N51 must have proper traffic calming measures in place. Finally, I want to say that Slane village has, for over 30 years, experienced serious road traffic accidents. People remember the last one and wonder when there will be another. The Slane bypass will take away the fear that is there and allow the 250 year old village to breath again. Cllr Wayne Harding, The Village Inn, Slane.