Heritage groups plan motorway legal challenge

ENVIRONMENTALISTS are planning a legal challenge to the completion of the C-ring motorway around Dublin as its route will destroy large parts of an important medieval site at Carrickmines.

It follows yesterday’s announcement by Transport Minister Seamus Brennan of a set of compromise proposals to preserve a maximum area of Carrickmines Castle which lies on the route of the final stage of the M50 under construction.

Environmental and heritage groups expressed bitter disappointment at Mr Brennan’s failure to adopt their suggestion of redesigning access and feeder roads servicing the new South Eastern Motorway to preserve the vast majority of the site.

It is believed several parties are considering a legal challenge to construction of the route on the basis that its Environmental Impact Statement did not comply with an EU directive.

But Mr Brennan said alterations to the plan would enable 60% of the existing remains of the 13th century castle to be retained.

“It is clearly a very valuable archaeological site that is historically of great significance,” said Mr Brennan, who visited Carrickmines earlier this month.

But he said he was very conscious the last section of the M50 needs to be completed by its target date of 2004 to reduce serious traffic congestion in the area.

Following consultation with the National Roads Authority, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council, Dúchas and An Taisce, he has directed the NRA to undertake extra engineering measures to preserve the site at an estimated additional cost of 500,000 euro.

He has also ordered the retention of an 18th century farmhouse on the site for further examination of its potential use as an interpretative centre.

Reacting to the decision, Friends of Medieval Dublin spokesperson Seán Duffy said: “This decision was taken on the basis of short-term considerations which will lead to long-term damage.”

An Taisce was also critical of the finalised plans, claiming Mr Brennan made only minor changes to NRA proposals.