NRA statement on M3 @ Tara - works to continue after delay

darkman2

Statement on Commencement Rath Lugh Works
The NRA entered into an understanding in good faith with protesters at Rath Lugh on Saturday March 15, 2008 under which the contractors work on fencing off the road land take and the construction of a haul road past the national monument would not be interfered with. However, over recent days continued protestor actions have not allowed the contractor to put in place protective fencing and construct the haul road. This interference is in direct breach of the understanding.

On Tuesday 18th March the contractor sought to erect fencing on the project boundary line, which is outside the area covered by the national monument Preservation Order. In addition the contractor sought to commence the construction of the haul road that had been clarified with the tunnel protestor on Saturday evening. In both areas violent protests ensued and the contractor ceased work due to safety concerns for his operatives and the protestors. As a result these important elements of the programme of works clarified with the tunnel protestor on Saturday were not achievable.
All of the clarifications discussed with the tunnel protestor on Saturday 15th March 2008 continue to apply including the review of the horizontal alignment in the environs of Rath Lugh, with the exception that the timing of a part of the works has been rescheduled following the advice of An Garda Siochana in light of the continued violent protests and their public order concerns. The situation requires the commitment of significant Garda resources to achieve a safe and secure working environment.

Due to the evolving situation and the taking into account serious Garda concerns the Authority has requested the contractor to advance the construction schedule and put in place a "box cut" (foot print of future road) within the construction zone at Rath Lugh. This action will identify where the road will be placed and remove all concerns as to the potential impact on the national monument.

The monument at Rath Lugh is under a permanent protective Ministerial order and a protective zone is already in place around the monument. The Authority will continue to liaise directly with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and will observe all requirements under the Ministerial order to protect the national monument.

Good news IMO.

Chris_533976

I've been saying on Sabre, in a sense all these delays are good for the rest of the country, simply because the hippies are busy in tunnels under the M3 while the rest of the motorway program goes through unopposed. The longer they spend on the M3 the less time the hippies will have to cause trouble on other sites around the country!

spacetweek

Chris_533976 wrote: »

I've been saying on Sabre, in a sense all these delays are good for the rest of the country, simply because the hippies are busy in tunnels under the M3 while the rest of the motorway program goes through unopposed. The longer they spend on the M3 the less time the hippies will have to cause trouble on other sites around the country!

Agreed, but we find ourselves in a difficult position. The road should never have been routed through that valley.

It's essential that we reduce as far as possible the visual intrusion of the road into the area:
(1) No Blundelstown interchange
(2) No street lighting
(3) Tall trees lining the road on both sides all along the valley section.
(4) Noise barriers in between the trees and road.