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By Róisín O'Shea
Dungarvan Observer
October 31st. 2001
Last week The Dungarvan Observer met with Ronnie Basquill, Team leader and Tom Rogers, Design engineer, at Tramore House Regional Design Office to discuss status on the proposed Dungarvan Outer bypass. The need for an outer bypass of Dungarvan was determined by Waterford County Council, during the compilation of the Dungarvan Traffic management plan. The County Council then gave a brief last year to the Tramore Regional Design office to design the outer bypass. The brief included identifying existing constraints within the area around Dungarvan, to consider alternative route alignments and to recommend a preferred route.
An initial study area was identified, west of Dungarvan, extending from the Sweep to the South and to the Pike at the northern end. A team headed up by Ronnie Basquill then began the process of stage one, identifying constraints such as areas protected under EU and Irish legislation like Dungarvan harbour, and ecologically sensitive areas such as the land above Ballyneety bridge which is a wildlife conservation area. A key part of the research at this stage for the team was to collate information on existing and pending new developments in the study area, and to monitor new planning applications with a view to having an input in the event the granting of planning permission would have the potential to conflict with a chosen route. The public were invited by Waterford County Council 'to make written submissions on any matter they feel is relevant to the project', for the 'constraints report' on or before the 1st June 2001. This was the first opportunity for members of the public to submit their reactions, but not the last.
Tramore house where the Design team for this project are based, is the Regional design office for national roads. Staff also work to briefs from Waterford Corporation and the County Councils of Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois and South Tipperary. The constraints phase of the proposed Dungarvan Outer bypass is now completed and six potential routes have been identified. "I would like to make it clear at this stage that nothing is cast in stone, these are preliminary findings and obviously only one of these proposed routes would ultimately be chosen, and even then it may be with modifications" said Mr. Basquill. Once the constraints report has been approved by the National Roads Authority (NRA) consultants will be hired to conduct a detailed technical evaluation of the study area and route options. While economic considerations are important, the primary consideration is environmental stressed Mr. Basquill. The consultant's report would also incorporate traffic surveys, an environmental impact assessment of each option, and preparation of scheme budget/cost estimates. This report would culminate in a recommendation from the consultants for a preferred route.
The route selection report is then reviewed by the NRA and if approval is given 'Part 10' planning takes place. This involves public display of the preferred route for a period of one month, during which time public submissions are invited. A spokesperson for Tramore house said that the public display aspect of this process would usually take place in the local area, in this case it is anticipated that the preferred route would be on display in the Civic offices of Waterford County Council, Lismore and Kilmacthomas. A review of the public consultation process will take place and where necessary alterations can be made. This is the crucial point in the process where the impact on people living in the preferred route area is evaluated, with a view to minimising the impact.
A report is then given for review to all Waterford County Councillors who can vote to accept, reject or modify the selected route. If a preferred route is approved by the County Councillors then the C.P.O. mapping process will begin. Funding for the proposed Dungarvan Outer bypass is not in the current National development plan, and will not be in place until at least 2006. Subject to approval by the NRA and adequate funding, the road could be underway towards the end of 2010. Many things could change in the mean-time such as a shift in National road policy, but it is intended to preserve a 'corridor' in the County Development plan to facilitate a possible bypass.
A bypass for Lismore is also under consideration, but is still in the early constraints study stage, an area for N72 realignment around Lismore has been identified but no potential route options have yet been selected.
Members of the public may address their queries to the research team at Tramore House and
view current maps, telephone 051-390130 to make an appointment, or email dungarvanbypass@thrdo.com.
Copyright © 2001 Dungarvan Observer
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