By-passes ruled out as alterative to M3

The National Roads Authority has said building by-passes in Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells is not an alternative to the proposed M3 motorway.

The Oireachtas Committee on Transport has been hearing presentations for three alternative proposals from the Meath Road-Action Group.

Hugh Cregan of the NRA has said three bypasses simply would not work.

“Effectively you end up with short sections of high-quality motorway linked by short sections of sub-standard roads and a neck lacing of different types of roads.”

“Safety issues wouldn't be dealt with in terms of private entrances and road junctions and it doesn’t provide the overall strategic transportation corridor that we want to deliver.”