Slane Councillor Wayne Harding has welcomed Minister for Transports Eamon Ryan’s recent statement that the Slane Bypass should proceed following a successful planning decision.
“During a question-and-answer session with the Minister during his visit to Meath County Council headquarters I asked him for his views on the Slane Bypass and he very clearly stated that when the planning process is complete it should proceed to construction” Cllr Harding said.
“I pointed out to him that the community had made submissions in support of the bypass before the deadline which expired last Friday and there was a very strong desire for a Bypass of Slane within the community.
“I highlighted one submission in particular from the board of management in Slane national school which highlighted a recent survey carried out by 4th class students of the schools air quality held as part of a school’s initiative led by An Taisce and the environment protection agency.
“This survey monitored emissions from road traffic vehicles from 160 schools around the country and provided the highest level of nitrogen dioxide readings for any school in a rural setting in the country and exceeded the World Health Organisation’s air quality guidelines.
“I told the minister that I hoped the decision makers on the planning application would listen to the children of Slane national school and the people of Slane when adjudicating on the bypass and not those who will set out to deny the village its bypass.
Welcoming the minister’s clear response, Cllr. Harding said he fully supported Slane being bypassed and cited the positive impact a bypass has had on the town of Athy which he had seen recently.
