Supreme Court appeal on road withdrawn

MAY 2003

A Supreme Court appeal which could have delayed the construction of the Dundalk Western By-pass Northern Link is withdrawn. There is the prospect work will start later this year.

The appeal is filed on behalf of parties who lost an application to the High Court for a judicial review of an An Bórd Pleanála decision to approve the vital road.

The National Roads Authority, who are joined with An Bórd Pleanála in the High Court proceedings, indicate they would be seeking to move as speedily as possible to get a Supreme Court decision so as to minimise any delay in proceeding.

However, that proves un-necessary when the appellants indicate they are withdrawing the appeal.

It is understood they take this course after getting agreement they won’t be libel for any costs arising from instigating the Supreme Court appeal.

But it does appear the appellants are still libel for High Court costs, which may run to €100,000.

The applicants before the High Court were Ravensdale Valley Environmental Group, Ciarán McArdle, Patrick McAteer of Faughart Residents’ Association and John Conway of CRADBADA.

There are now no legal obstacles remaining to delay construction of the Northern Link, a 3km stretch of motorway from Balriggan in Kilcurry to Ballymascanlon.

This will mark the completion of the €100 million 11km Dundalk Western By-pass which is intended to divert traffic from Dundalk and ease congestion on the Inner Relief Road.

It is understood it is down to a choice between two contractors as to who will get the job for the link road, which it is hoped will go ahead this year.