Shannon Bridge under close scrutiny

THE proposed Shannon Bridge Crossing project, costing an estimated €40 million, was subjected to a detailed route selection process, according to Clare County Council senior engineer, Tom Tiernan.

 

Opponents of plans to provide a Shannon Bridge Crossing linking Ballina and Killaloe, Killaloe bypass and upgrading of the Ballina to Birdhill regional road, raised the issue at a recent oral hearing concerning the alleged lack of information about how the preferred route 7 C was selected from a number of other options.

Objectors include Richard and Marcella O’Toole, whose Ballina home of 22 years will be demolished as a result of the compulsory purchase of their house and land to facilitate the new bridge.

Mr O’Toole claimed at the hearing he was still at a loss as to understand how the initial route was selected. He said it seemed as if route 7 C was selected at a meeting of local councillors in April 2005, despite the fact it was in conflict with route six, which was chosen during a public consultation process and also seemed to be the preferred option of a county council engineer at the time.

Speaking to The Clare Champion, Mr Tom Tiernan said he would not deal with any individual concerns. He pointed out the route selection process was a detailed one, which looked at various route options under a number of headings covering a broad spectrum of issues, including the environment, construction costs and cost benefit analysis.

Mr Tiernan explained the rationale behind the selected route was published in the route selection report.

Asked about claims that individual property owners affected by the CPO were not visited individually to examine how it would affect them, Mr Tiernan insisted that council officials did meet many of the affected property owners before the publication of the CPO.
He said some of the issues that were raised during the formal public consultation process were dealt with in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), while the council also had discussions with some property owners post route selection.

Bill Morrissey, civil engineer, claimed during the oral hearing there would still be a health and safety issue for pedestrians crossing the existing bridge, even if the new crossing is provided.

Mr Morrissey proposed a new footbridge be provided along the existing bridge to remove pedestrians, and that it could be achieved for a relatively small sum of money as recommended in the 1996 Michael Punch Report.
Having worked on route selection for large road projects in the UK, he felt a lot of useful information was collected during the oral hearing, which could properly inform a new route selection process. He also claimed council officials and engineers had not visited affected landowners on site to get a proper understanding of their issues.

Mr Morrissey said it would take a brave decision on behalf of the council to admit the current route is wrong and to call a halt now before any more money is spent on a new crossing that does not deal with problems with the existing bridge.
He feels the whole route selection process and CPOs need to be overhauled to try resolve issues before a particular route is selected.

Resident and local businessman Roy Benson also pointed out that people would not  travel from the most densely populated part of Ballina and Killaloe from the Portroe Road to the new Roulagh junction at the intersection of the Ballina to Nenagh and Birdhill road, go across the new crossing and onto a link road to reach Convent Hill to shop in the local supermarket. Instead, he predicted the majority of locals travelling between Ballina and Killaloe would continue to use the existing bridge.

However, Mr Tiernan stressed the new crossing is not just designed for the needs of locals and businesses.
“The new project will result in the provision of two crossings. It is a matter for local people to use which one they wish. This project falls under the category of a non-national strategic route development, which means it has a significant role in the road network for road users outside of Killaloe and Ballina.

“The new Shannon Tunnel may have some bearing on the new crossing but they are two entirely separate and different projects. I accept that the demand on the regional road network in Killaloe and Ballina is not as high as it was four or five years ago.

“The council has to assume that traffic levels will recover and escalate beyond what it is currently. If a local authority is going to take its responsibilities seriously, it has to put the plans in place to complete this strategic project for the future development of the wider East Clare and North Tipperary region over the next 20 or 30 years.”

A number of objectors, including Mr O’Toole, claimed during the oral hearing that it seemed no funding had been earmarked for the project, which could mean that property owners would be left in an unfair limbo, even if the CPO and EIS are approved by An Bord Pleanála.

Mr Tiernan pointed out that, normally, road schemes are not approved for funding until they complete the planning process and noted funding wasn’t a matter for the oral hearing.

“The Department of the Environment has funded the project to date. The fact that the department gave its approval to proceed to submit the CPO and EIS to An Bord Pleanála illustrates its commitment to the project. The department also reiterated its commitment to this project recently,” he said.

Agricultural consultant Richard Rea, who represents a lot of property owners in Ballina and Killaloe, requested the council to extend its period of time for the withdrawal of objections by another four months.

Mr Tiernan confirmed the council is still considering this proposal and stressed the authority want to be as reasonable as possible at all times and does not want to create a situation where people affected don’t know where they stand.