€680m motorway project is finally given the green light

AN Bord Pleanala gave the go-ahead yesterday to the controversial €680 million Meath motorway between Clonee and Kells — despite major objections and a protracted appeals hearing.

The M3 motorway will by-pass Dunshaughlin and Navan and motorists will be charged a toll at both ends.

But angry objectors claimed last night the decision was nothing short of "State vandalism" because the motorway will plough through the historic Hill of Tara valley.

An Bord Pleanala, however, rejected this claim and said the project had been given the go-ahead subject to 10 amendments to the original plan and the motorway was necessary to provide for existing and projected traffic volumes.

But the 300 objectors who included the local residents, the Columban Missionaries, the now abolished heritage authority, Duchas, and An Taisce still insisted yesterday there was no need for the motorway. They said an independent study showed a dual carriageway would be sufficient to deal with the projected traffic volumes on this roadway. The objectors also claim the new motorway is also too near the historic Hill of Tara and the Columban Mission Awareness retreat centre and wildlife reserve outside Navan.

The Columban missionaries, who own a substantial amount of the land through which the Meath motorway will run, were very angry yesterday to hear it had been given the go-ahead.

Fr Sean McDonagh said: "This motorway will plough through one of the world's top archaeological and heritage sites the Hill of Tara valley this is State vandalism and An Bord Pleanala should resign."

An Bord Pleanala said yesterday it had given the project the go-ahead subject to the 10 amendments.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) and Meath County Council welcomed the decision. Meath County Council spokesman Neil Cassidy said they were delighted because this motorway was a key development for the infrastructure of the county and the North East region.

The NRA said the current cost of the project is €680 million and work is expected to start mid-2005.

And there will be a €1.10 toll at both ends of the motorway.