GREENORE PORT PLANS CONCERN RESIDENTS AND OYSTER FARMERS
PLANS WILL LEAD TO BIG INCREASE IN HGV TRAFFIC TO AND FROM PORT AND DREDGING OF SEA BEDS April 2007
PLANS for a multi-million-euro development at Greenore port are met with concern by local residents and oyster farmers.
Hundreds of people attend public consultation evenings in the village in an effort to find out what effect the development will have on their lives.
The port company, owned by Dublin port and One51 Ltd., says the €27 million investment ‘marks a new era for this historical port and includes a Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off ) berth and two container berths with Lo-Lo (lift-on/ lift off ) facilities.’
The development works will take place at two locations – at the site of the existing quay wall at the berths currently in use, and at an eleven-hectare site, including five hectares to be reclaimed at the foreshore, to the east of the village.
Concerns about the significant increase in lorries resulting from the additional ferry services are expressed by people living along the main Dundalk to Greenore road, while there are fears that northbound traffic will be tempted to access Newry via Carlingford and Omeath.
It is revealed at a monthly meeting of Louth county council that the local authority has no plans to upgrade the stretch of road at Bellurgan, from the Marsh Road junction to the local primary school, one of the few sections of the R173 which has not been improved in recent years.
The port company says that it is envisaged that container volumes will be starting at 20,000 units per-annum, growing to 40,000 per-annum over four or five years.
Ferry traffic is expected to grow from 35,000 trucks a year to 60,000 per-annum over two or three years.
However, given the port’s strategic location, the terminal is designed to accommodate 60-60,500 containers and 100,000 ferry vehicles each year.
The development also features a large storage area for containers adjacent to the existing industrial units.
It is also suggested that cruise liners could call at the re-developed port, bringing tourists to the area.
The local meetings are held as RPS Consulting Engineers are preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment for the development to accompany the port company’s planning application.
The site of the proposed development is located alongside areas of Carlingford Lough which have been designated as shellfish waters and proposed Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation under EU legislation.
As it is proposed to carry out dredging work, oyster farmers are concerned about the impact this will have on their livelihoods.
The company says the development will lead to job creation, with short-term jobs created during the construction phase.
A spokesperson estimates that 30 jobs will be created as a result of the port expansion, with the opportunity for further spin-offs in the haulage industry.
He adds the development will attract industry, with one company already committed to locating in the area on foot of the works taking place.