Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for introducing this topic and the passion he has shown for his area and for this road. I would like to explain that, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding for the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, the planning, design and construction of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority for local and regional roads, or for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned for national roads.

That is not to suggest that the Deputy is wrong to raise the matter here; I am just telling him the procedures that are exercised when there are individual decisions of this sort to be made and where the power lies.

The project scheme in question consists of 4.5 km of single carriageway providing a western bypass of the town of Ardee. The proposed scheme will be a type 2 single carriageway and comprise six road junctions, including a proposed roundabout on the N2, and two river bridge structures. The benefits of the scheme include the bypass of Ardee, road improvements for the town, reduced journey times and traffic and enhanced access to the north west region.

As recently relayed to the relevant Oireachtas committee by TIl, Louth County Council, in January 2018, provided the preliminary overall plan for the project to various stakeholders, including residents. As a result of the information provided, residents from the Mullanstown-Coole community convened public meetings in April 2018. At those meetings, concerns were expressed about the impacts that the scheme might have on local traffic movements. Of particular concern was the closure of the Townspark Road west of the new bypass and the closure of the Mullanstown Road east of the new bypass, on the Ardee town side, and the consequences of these closures.

While the design of the scheme was completed in 2004, there have been significant changes since then, such as the construction of a number of additional houses, the growth in membership of, and activity around, sports clubs. These changes and increases in walking and cycling activities create different desirable outcomes to be achieved by the design. In September 2018, Louth County Council identified a number of options for possible changes to the junctions on the scheme. All the options require an amendment of the planning permission and additional land if they are to be progressed.

On 29 August, Louth County Council sought the approval of TII to commence the tender competition for the construction of the 2004 design that complies with the planning permission and fits within the acquired land. Local residents had indicated support for this progression to construction on condition that there was a commitment from TII and Louth County Council that subsequent amendments to the junctions would be subject of a new planning procedure. Following the consultation with residents and the concerns raised by them, TII decided not to grant approval for the 2004 design and instead requested Louth County Council to undertake a review.

The scheme is now under review. TII has advised that it is anticipated that the review will delay the project by a period of 12 to 18 months. However, this review has the potential to incorporate significant benefits as it is intended to address many of the concerns of residents and to improve on the previous plan devised back in 2004, some 15 years ago. Louth County Council has suggested that a non-statutory public consultation process be undertaken. This will provide the opportunity for all stakeholders to have an input.

Louth County Council's first priority will be the preparation for, and organisation of, the public consultation events. It is anticipated that these events will be open to the public towards the end of this year or early next year. The most appropriate technical option will then be progressed to a part 8 planning process.

If planning approval is secured and additional land is required, a compulsory purchase order will then be submitted to An Bord Pleanála. In parallel, the works already commenced on the ground will be concluded and Louth County Council will engage with relevant service providers to ensure that the necessary diversions have been progressed. The business case will be updated and submitted for review and, subject to all the necessary approvals being received, including Government approval, Louth County Council then will aim to go to tender with the revised scheme.

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