The Galway City Outer Bypass may be under threat from court action by objectors, the oral hearing currently being held in the Ardilaun Hotel has heard.

At the hearing last week, Dr Julie Fossitt of the NPWS presented a submission condemning plans to build the bypass through areas of the Moycullen Bog complex and through the special area of conversation that is Lough Corrib.

The two NPWS submissions are considered official objections on two grounds. One is on the basis that the proposed road will run through the Lough Corrib special area of conservation, with the other in relation to the section of road, which is proposed to run through Tonabrocky Bog. The NPWS says that this proposed route (one of a number of options) is the one most damaging to the area.

While the NPWS must wait for the outcome of the oral hearing, a spokesperson said it is possible that other objectors may take legal action on foot of the agency's objections, if An Bord Pleanála does not take the advice of NWPS.

Derrick Hambleton, chairperson for the Galway branch of An Taisce, said, "There must now be serious concern for the outcome of the oral hearing on the Galway City outer by-pass, which has resumed its sessions since Tuesday 8 January, and is taking place in front of an inspector from An Bord Pleanala."

"Evidence given in a written submission from the government's own National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), presented by Dr Julie Fossitt, must have inflicted serious damage to the NRA and Galway city and county councils' joint proposals to build a new Galway city outer by-pass through part of the environmentally sensitive Moycullen Bog Complex and through Lough Corrib cSAC (candidate Special Area of Conservation), which includes protected Limestone Pavement at Coolough."

Mr Hambleton believes that these submissions make it certain that a legal challenge would take place through the High Courts, and on to Europe, should there be any effort made to seek such derogation. Welcoming the NPWS submissions, Mr Hambleton said, "It is now time for all councillors and politicians in Galway to seek real alternatives to the relentless construction of new roads around our city, a policy which only encourages more urban-sprawl and does nothing to promote social cohesion. There should now be a real debate about public transport solutions like 'light rail'."

The heritage group reiterated its position that "the road-building approach will not work, not least because it is far too controversial to try to push through environmentally damaging road schemes. It will now be far quicker, cheaper and more effective for the Government to try other ways to deal with Galway city's traffic congestion. It is not too late for the Government to reject road building as a primary solution and renew its commitment to pursue better public transport plans."

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment