Slane Bypass moves step closer to reality

Meath County Council has furnished additional information on the proposed Slane Bypass to An Bord Pleanala which has now gone on public display.

The council originally submitted plans for the bypass and public realm scheme to An Bord Pleanala in December 2023.

The additional information response, together with the original application, Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is on public display until 18th March next, the closing date for submissions or observations.

The N2 Slane Bypass will comprise 3.5 km dual carriageway bypass, a bridge approximately 258m long crossing the River Boyne, three roundabouts, the realignment of 1.4 km of the N51 National Road and Public Realm improvement and traffic management measures in Slane village.

The Public Realm Plan includes the reconfiguration of the junction at The Square in Slane, as well as the provision of a car park on the N51, east of The Square.

There are proposals for shared footway/cycleway facilities, including a pedestrian/cyclist bridge to the existing Boyne Canal towpath with access to the carpark from existing N2 south of The Square junction.

An Bord Pleanála will consider submissions once the closing date has passed and the holding of an Oral Hearing for the scheme will be at the discretion of ABP.

Cllr Wayne Harding welcomed the publication of the additional information saying he hoped it would speed up a decision which he expects will be a positive one.

"This paves the way for An Bord Pleanala to look at an oral hearing with a view to a decision at the end of this summer," he said.

It is now twelve years since an earlier planning application for the project was refused by the planning board.

The proposed bypass will take heavy traffic away from the notoriously dangerous Slane Bridge and steep descent in the village, where 23 people have died in road traffic accidents.