Tense wait in Slane as bypass ruling delayed again

The people of Slane are facing another tense and nerve-wracking wait for An Bord Pleanala's decision on the proposed Slane bypass, which had been due yesterday (Tuesday) but which has been further deferred. A spokesperson for the planning board said this week that this would be a very short derferral and a decision would be available shortly. He said it was a complex case and the decision was at an advanced stage. The news of a further delay was met with dismay in Slane this week by campaigners for the bypass who said they had waited generations for the bypass. An oral hearing on the proposals took place this time last year. In recent weeks, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, said that funds would be made available for the purchase of land for the road if the project is approved by the planning board. Michelle Power of the Bypass Slane Campaign said the people of Slane had been very patient and now faced another tense, nerve-wracking wait for the decision. "I know this is a complex case, but we have waited so long. We have waited generations for a bypass," she said. "The community wants to know where we stand and we are hoping for a positive decision." Cllr Wayne Harding said that, after waiting so long, he hoped this would be a short deferral. "It has been a long time and a lot of waiting, but we will wait and we hope that the right decision is made," he said.