The Tara Bypass - what they won't tell you

[PVC King]

Originally Posted by hutton

I note you dont acknowledge the Woodstown reroute win-win for all. Sham argument on your part!

There is more to the Tara situation than there was at Woodstown, Woodstown was a situation where mid-construction and almost by accident one of the largest Viking Settlements in Europe was discovered, it was a total surprise to everyone.

Tara is different in that most of the sites were identifiable simply by looking at Duchas maps and the impact on these already catologed sites was plain to any truely independent archaeologist who has expressed an opinion. More importantly the persistant claim that there is no other route has never been proven as detailed costings for both the alignments to the East and the West have never been released. All that exists is the word of a body that has a shameful record of handling public money and refusing to listen to anyone.

There are three possible options:

Halt work on the N2 to Ashbourne temporarily and upgrade it to a three & 1 Motorway that divides into N2 & M3 a few miles North of Tara

Construct either the Eastern Alignment and avoid crossing the N3 and resulting construction disturbance

Construct the Western Alignment and avoid the area completely.

[PVC King]

Originally Posted by www.platform11.org

Beating the stranglehold of our car-dependent culture

A projected population increase of 51 per cent in the mid-east region and the ensuing traffic congestion can be tackled by proper planning and investment in railways, write Derek Wheeler and Mark Gleeson.

Last week's figures from the CSO show that the population growth of the Greater Dublin Area is expected to continue at an unprecedented rate. With a projected population increase of 51 per cent in the mid-east region, the already strained transportation infrastructure in Leinster will come under intolerable pressure.

Road upgrades such as the widening of the N7 south of Rathcoole and the proposed M3 motorway will simply funnel yet more car-dependent commuters into the ever-growing tailback towards the M50. We simply cannot build ourselves out of the current crisis.

While much has been planned, in particular the Dublin Transportation Office's Platform for Change proposal, little has been implemented. The announcement of the long-promised 10-year transport plan appears to be on indefinite hold.

Although congestion is unquestionably at its worst in Dublin, Cork has taken the lead with an approach to facilitate development while ensuring proper provision for public transport is put in place in parallel.

The Cork Area Strategic Plan (Casp), developed jointly by Cork City and County Councils, has shown the way by focusing development along existing and closed railway lines. Meath County Council and Fingal in north Co Dublin followed Cork's lead.

As a direct result of Casp the Cork-Midleton railway line is to be reopened. Fingal County Council has granted planning permission for the North Fringe development in Baldoyle, on condition that a new railway station be provided at the developers' expense in Grange Road. Similar arrangements are in place at the Adamstown development in west Dublin.

The proposed metro from St Stephen's Green to Dublin Airport will do little to ease the current congestion problem. While a high-quality citywide metro system has a role to play in tackling congestion, it will do nothing for the commuter stuck on the N3, N4 or N7. In the ideal case a fully integrated metro system would service the quickly developing Swords area.

However, there is hope under the title Provision of a Fully Integrated Greater Dublin Rail System, 2004-2010. Iarnród Éireann has proposed a massive expansion of the current Dart network to include services to Kildare, Maynooth, Dunboyne, Dublin Airport and the Dublin docklands. The key to this project is a new tunnel between Heuston and Spencer Dock, which will provide a second cross-city rail line and in doing so unlock massive capacity on lines into Dublin.

The core of the plan features three cross-city Dart lines, Kildare-Drogheda via Heuston, St Stephen's Green, Pearse and Spencer Dock; Maynooth/Dunboyne to Bray via Pearse, Tara Street and Connolly; and Heuston-Dublin Airport via St Stephen's Green, Pearse, Spencer Dock and Howth Junction.

A key element is a massive increase in long-distance suburban services stretching deep into the mid-east region and beyond, serving Portlaoise, Athy, Tullamore, Athlone, Longford and Gorey.

With full integration with Intercity, Luas and metro (if built), the proposal offers a world-class public transport system for the entire greater Dublin region.

However, it is clear that balanced regional development is needed as highlighted in the recent national spatial strategy.

Limerick city, with four radiating railway lines, has the potential to form an excellent integrated network promoting development. With the exception of the successful Limerick-Ennis service, the railway lines into Limerick lie idle to commuters. The rapidly-growing Raheen industrial estate already has a line but no service.

Equally Galway, with its station positioned in Eyre Square, offers a unique opportunity for commuter rail services from Oranmore with high-quality bus links to the Parkmore and Ballybrit industrial estates, and services possibly stretching farther to Athenry and later to Tuam and Ennis.

We must avoid the unsustainable car-dependent culture as Ireland grows. It is in our interests, with the total population expected to exceed five million by 2021, according to the CSO.

Derek Wheeler and Mark Gleeson are members of Platform II, a rail lobby group

© The Irish Times

Also the complete failure by Meath Co Co to consider alternative modes of transport as part of a PLUTS (Planning Land Use and Transportation Study). The hardpressed Meath commuter will be stuck in even longer tailbacks from the Blanchardstown S.C. to the City Centre if no alternative is in place.

If the DoT built the Navan Rail line with adequate Park'nride facilities in tandem with an M3 on a deliverable route the hardpressed Meath commuter could choose what best suited their needs instead of having a tolled motorway rammed down their necks as the 'only option'

[Lotts]

I find it hard to have sympathy for the commuters in these areas when I hear the local TDs on the radio.

I tend to think that the people that buy miles away from their jobs and social life know what they are doing. They get a larger, privately owned house than they would for the same budget in Dublin. But they then expect the state to spend a fortune on putting in a motorway so that they can drive daily to work. As if it's an entitlement. This cost is not just hitting everyone on the island in the pocket, but is now robbing us of our cultural heritage too. I for one do not want to have to pay this price for them.

If I can abuse the idea of a "machine for living" - most homes are less that ideal in this regard. Trying to buy a home is a compromise from start to finish on location, size, standard etc. This compromise ends in a less than perfect living solution.
- The large but badly located dublin centered family commuter house out in louth is a faulty machine. The cost of "fixing" this fault is being addressed (however ineffectively) by building motorways at huge cost to us all.
- If you look at the other end of the problem - a very small property near city center but unable to cater for a growing family would be the other type of faulty macine. Fixing this one gets less media coverage. You will get very little sympathy from anyone if you want to extend, and you certaintly wont get the rest of the country chipping in towards the cost.

[PVC King]

I can see the point that you are making particularly towards extending houses and it really does go into the area of housing affordability and the climbdown from part v of the planning act that has pushed so many people a long way from their workplaces & social infrastructure. I do however have a more positive view of the situation; essentially growth is the sign of a strong economy where there are many employment opportunities.

It is possible to plan growing Cities in a sustainable way by implementing PLUTS studies and incorporating them into development plans, it is possible to deliver different modes of transport that can deliver people back to their workplaces and social lives in a 30-40 minute timeframe. The major problem of a roads only policy is that development occurs at much lower densities and as a result it is not viable to deliver public transport efficiently as densities are too low to make rail viable and buses lose money sitting in traffic jams.

If the M3 gets built can anyone say with any certainty that it will cut commuting times dramatically, look at the Naas Rd situation where a motorway stretches 54 miles ( 86 kms) west of Dublin, it still takes 1 to 2 hours to get the last 12 kms in from Newlands Cross to O'Connell Bridge at peak times. Whilst the Train from Kildare to Dublin at distance of over 50kms can be acheived in less than 40 minutes with a frequency of approximately 4 per hour at peak times.

Having seen so many people having been put out to the margins of the region it is time that they are given a real transport system and not just a tolled motorway that has both a weekly bill and a permanent heritage cost.

[Rory W]

Why don't you see who are the landholders along the N3 route - read it and weep, looks like a Ard Fheis guest list and I won't say for which party, but (large hint) there seems to be a lot of developers there

[PVC King]

The $64m question is were these parcels of land assembled before or after the decision to select this route?

If they were transfered in arms length transactions since the route was announced then it can only be considered opportunism and is a legitimate enough gamble, but if they were acquired before this then it raises very serious questions.

[Rory W]

been gathered for a few year appearently

[PVC King]

Great thing about the Irish Land Registry system or Torrens system as its known is that it is very secure and cannot be changed once an entry has been registered. This should be checked out; it would be a very different situation if this wasn't a simple infrastructural decision. I sense a visit to Setanta House for someone.

[PVC King]

The Land Registry is apparently being de-centralised to Roscommon,

Any Thoughts?

[Jack White]

Originally Posted by Rory W

been gathered for a few year appearently

Rory what's your definition of a few?

[Rory W]

There was a story in (I think) the Tribune about it - they've been buying up land around ther for at least 5 years supposedly

[Jack White]

Rory Thanks for that little nugget of information I will try and locate it

[JPD]

When will the archaeology works start on the route?

[magicbastarder]

today, actually.

[PVC King]

How right you are

Originally Posted by RTE Interactive

Archaeological work begins at Tara

13 June 2005 14:35
Preliminary archaeological work is beginning at Tara in advance of the construction of the planned M3 motorway through Co Meath's Tara-Skryne Valley.

The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, cleared the way for the motorway last month by issuing directions to Meath County Council on how archaeological work was to be conducted.

The project was approved by An Bord Pleanála two years ago, but was delayed until the minister issued licences for archaeological excavations along the controversial route.

I'm sure the residents of Navan will be delighted that the motorway with two tolls is now commencing construction. An interesting feature of this is that to reach the park n ride site at the 115m rail extension you must pay tolls. For another 150m a high capacity rail link could have been provided direct to Navan with 4 trains per hour each of 8 carriages which would have moved 1000's of people directly to the city centre per hour and not to the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre where tailbacks and gridlock are what wait for the commuter.

In the coming days a Navan Rail campaign will be launched through www.platform11.org

[PVC King]

A decision due in the High Court today

[StephenC]

From the RTE website

The High Court has rejected an application for an injunction which would effectively have stopped work on the M3 motorway.

The injunction would have possibly led to its re-routing from the Tara/Skryne Valley in Co Meath.

In his reserved judgement today, Mr Justice Thomas Smith rejected the application by campaigner Mr Vincent Salavia on all grounds.

The judge ruled that Mr Salavia had delayed in taking his legal action and that he did not have the legal standing to take the action in the first place.

The judge also ruled that the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, did not err in granting licences to allow archaeological works to proceed on 36 sites in the valley

[PVC King]

M3 campaigner facing €600,000 fees

15 March 2006 12:36
Environmentalist Vincent Salafia now faces a legal bill of more than €600,000.

This follows a High Court ruling that he was liable for the costs arising from his unsuccessful challenge to the proposed routing of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara.

Mr Salafia has indicated, however, that he will appeal to the Supreme Court.

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He had urged the High Court not to make cost orders against him, arguing that he had taken the case in the public interest and out of concern for the Hill of Tara.

It had to happen sooner or later; I feel a lot of sympathy for him having met him I would be very clear that there was no financial motivation behind this challenge and ultimately one likes to see cases taken in the public interest and it is easy to forget that the protagonists can suffer serious consequences if they fail.

[PVC King]

Waiting in the footsteps of history on top of the Hill of Tara
From:ireland.com
Thursday, 22nd June, 2006


Ghosts often walked the earthworks at Tara. This was the ancient seat of Ireland's kings. Heroes lived and died here. Yesterday, the hill was populated with those waiting for the solstice dawn. High on a hilltop, with views spanning seven counties on a clear day, close your eyes and imagine warriors on determined horses.

Stories emerge from the mist. Legends maintain that Conn Cetchathach, King of Tara and Ireland, used to pace here thinking about his enemies. On one particular morning, while walking at dawn with his druids and poets, he stepped on a stone which cried out beneath his feet.

The bewildered king soon realised something important had happened. His druid bent close and explained that the stone was named Fal and that it had made an important prophecy.

Conn's descendents would reign over Ireland. The stone made other announcements, but its chief concern was always Tara's rulers.

No one on the hilltop at Tara yesterday before daylight was overly preoccupied by power.

Instead, they scanned the east for the first signs of the rising sun at a place venerated since the third century when King Cormac Mac Airt held court here.

It is midsummer. On this day, summer peaks and the sun begins its slow farewell towards the darkness of winter. It is a celebration tinged with regret. A lone drummer is building up to a steady beat. After a cold, blustery night, the watchers have pale faces. Several were dressed in long, flowing robes and headgear. Their silhouettes looked dramatic as they made their ways over the damp grass. Were they chanting? Or was it merely the wind?

Most are heading towards the large royal enclosure upon which the famous stone, Lia Fail, stands.

A small group has already begun its vigil. A lantern housing a thick candle flickers. Two women have decided to wait by the Mound of Hostages.

Perhaps they are at prayer?

Just down from the stone, a man looks like he is sleeping, but he gives a yelp and his companion seems pleased.

"He has made contact with the gods."

Good for him.

Light begins to slip through the clouds. It surges and grows strong and, at 4.43am, the sun asserts itself, as does the drum beat. The good-natured watchers cheer and sing; a female druid whispers "Happy solstice!"

I wonder will the lights at the interchange be switched off at that time?

[magicbastarder]

Carrickmines M50 appeal is dismissed

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal in relation to the Carrickmines works on the southeastern route of the M50 in Dublin.

The works were completed last year, and the motorway opened, but the appeal had been continuing its passage through the courts.

The case was taken by Dominic Dunne against the Minister for the Environment and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Mr Dunne occupied the Carrickmines Castle site in 2002.

It was argued that Section 8 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004, which introduced a special provision in relation to completing the M50 at Carrickmines Castle, was unconstitutional.

It was further argued that the 2004 Act contravened EU Directives, and that even if the Act did not, the Minister's decisions did.

The Court unanimously rejected all the grounds of appeal.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0725/carrickmines.html

[PVC King]

An Taisce seeks to challenge M3 construction
Friday, 30 March 2007 15:42
The heritage organisation, An Taisce, is seeking permission from the High Court to challenge the construction of the M3 motorway, in legal action that could have implications for the State's entire road building programme.

An Taisce says the National Roads Authority has failed to comply with legislation obliging it to produce a draft plan for the construction and maintenance of the national roads system every five years.

Because of this, it says the procedure followed in relation to the M3 motorway between Clonee and Kells is completely flawed.

An Taisce described the building of the M3 as having very major consequences for a range of environmental issues, and it said it would have adverse effects on the national monument at the Hill of Tara.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly refused to grant permission for An Taisce's challenge without hearing from the NRA and the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen.

He said negotiations are underway and may even be completed between the NRA and the contractor who is going to build the motorway.

Justice Kelly was not prepared to take the risk of jeopardising those negotiations without hearing from the NRA.

The case will come before the court again next Wednesday when the NRA and Minister Cullen will have the opportunity of making submissions.

I wonder can the right decision be made at 2359

[kite]

Originally Posted by Sue

Yes but Paul, what kind of precedent would it send if the government was to say: "this is the best route for the M3, but because environmental nutters are going to make our lives a misery for the next five years and delay the project in the courts, we're going to move it elsewhere." It would be a huge victory for the anti-road lobby, without them having to spend a penny or a day in court, and it would fuel their campaigns against other bypasses and motorways.

No, let them do their worst in court. A la Carrickmines and Glen of the Downes, the road will get built in the end and by-passing motorists will wonder what the hell the fuss was ever about

In relation to the 26 archaeological sites of interest, the question is how important are any of them? Should the march of a nation be held up because a Celt once sharpened a stone in a particular field? I think a site should be more than just "of interest" before a lot of money is spent excavating it...

I have no axe to grind one way or the other on this but if some “environmental nutters” were not dismissed on other projects Galway (and another 6-8 County’s in Ireland) may have drinking water that is above the quality of an open sewer in Bombay, 40% of the “essential” housing built in the past 4 years we were told we needed urgently would not be vacant, Georgian houses would not be demolished to make way for “landmark” steel and plastic piles.
At least the “nutters” won the day when the majestic Cobh Cathedral was to be vandalized in the name of progress?

[Praxiteles]

Who else but the "culturally" sensitive Irish government would want to build a motor-way through Tara!! I do not, for example, see the French government wanting to build one through Carnac. Perhaps we should simply abandon any public effort to conserve our monuments and outsource the whole shebang to the French governmant. We are running out of solutions....

[kite]

Originally Posted by Praxiteles

Who else but the "culturally" sensitive Irish government would want to build a motor-way through Tara!! I do not, for example, see the French government wanting to build one through Carnac. Perhaps we should simply abandon any public effort to conserve our monuments and outsource the whole shebang to the French governmant. We are running out of solutions....

Of course you wouldn’t, in France the people would storm the Bastille and Jacques Chirac would be found swinging from the nearest tree…In Ireland we would have a whip around and give our leader 50 grand so that he could open a piggy bank account.
Viva Le Republic…..the real one!!!

[Praxiteles]

Originally Posted by kite

Of course you wouldn’t, in France the people would storm the Bastille and Jacques Chirac would be found swinging from the nearest tree…In Ireland we would have a whip around and give our leader 50 grand so that he could open a piggy bank account.
Viva Le Republic…..the real one!!!

There were bad riots in the Gare du Nord yesterday...all to do with "répression"...think of what will happen when the underdog goes topside in Ireland!