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FIRMATION of the compulsory purchase orders for land which will enable work to commence on the Outer Ring Road linking the Dunmore Road to the Cork Road is expected from An Bord Pleanala by late February or early March. In 2002 a public inquiry was held to hear 30 objections and submissions made by landowners, residents, Duchas and the Irish Wildlife Trust to the €21m project.
An Bord Pleanala received 17 objections and submissions to the Compulsory Purchase Order for the road project and 13 objections and submissions in relation to its Environmental Impact Statement.
The Irish Wildlife Trust and Duchas, the Heritage Service, were among those who lodged submissions in relation to the Environmental Impact Statement.
An Bord Pleanala said Duchas’ submission related to how the proposed road would impact on Ballinadud Bog, a protected Natural Heritage Area of high underwater archaeological potential, and Kilbarry Bog, which is a proposed Natural Heritage Area.
At the time, Ray McGrath, of the Irish Wildlife Trust, said the trust supported the route selected by the City Council for the second phase of the Outer Ring Road and its submission to An Bord Pleanala made a number of recommendations concerning the preservation of wildlife a long the route.
When the ‘green light’ is given for the 6.8 kilometre dual carriageway, the project will go to tender and according to a spokesman for Waterford City Council work could be underway by early May. The project, which will take some two years to complete, will include six roundabouts, a bridge, cycle lanes and footpaths.
