I ask that Leitrim County Council and ARUP Consulting extend the date of the public consultation period on the Carrick Dromod by pass by 4 weeks from June 16th 2021 to July 14th 2021.
Minutes:
It was agreed that motion no 6 in the name of Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire, Motion No 8 in the name of Councillor Sean McGowan, Motion No 12 in the name of Councillor Thomas Mulligan and Motion no 14 in the name of Councillor Enda Stenson be taken concurrently as they all relation to the same issue.
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Finola Armstrong-McGuire;
"I ask that Leitrim County Council and ARUP Consulting extend the date of the public consultation period on the Carrick Dromod bypass, by 4 weeks from June 16th 2021 to July 14th 2021."
Report by Roads – General
"The purpose of this public consultation is to inform stakeholders of the preliminary options developed and the findings of the constraints study in a timely manner and to provide effective opportunities to contribute to the decision-making process. Following consultation with both the Design Team and Project Managers for the Carrick on Shannon Dromod Project the closing date is being extended to 25th June. This extension was considered appropriate given the role of this stage of non-statutory consultation, while not impacting negatively on the timeframe for delivery of these phases of the project."
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;
"I seek the support of members in calling on the TII and ARUP Consultants to extend the public consultation on the proposed Carrick on Shannon - Dromod Road scheme for a further month from the 16th of June to allow for the homeowners/landowners & other interested parties adequate time to consider all the options being proposed and thereby enable the making of submissions in a well-informed manner."
Report by Roads – General
"The purpose of this public consultation is to inform stakeholders of the preliminary options developed and the findings of the constraints study in a timely manner and to provide effective opportunities to contribute to the decision-making process. Following consultation with both the Design Team and Project Managers for the Carrick on Shannon Dromod Project the closing date is being extended to 25th June. This extension was considered appropriate given the role of this stage of non-statutory consultation, while not impacting negatively on the timeframe for delivery of these phases of the project."
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Thomas Mulligan;
"I propose that the public consultation period be extended for the Dromod to Carrick on Shannon by pass."
Report by Roads – General
"The purpose of this public consultation is to inform stakeholders of the preliminary options developed and the findings of the constraints study in a timely manner and to provide effective opportunities to contribute to the decision-making process. Following consultation with both the Design Team and Project Managers for the Carrick on Shannon Dromod Project the closing date is being extended to 25th June. This extension was considered appropriate given the role of this stage of non-statutory consultation, while not impacting negatively on the timeframe for delivery of these phases of the project."
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Enda Stenson;
"I’ve met with a lot of people regarding the Carrick bypass over the past few weeks and I’ve yet to meet someone who agrees with the selected corridors we were presented with.
May I ask, do our roads engineers within the county think we have other options open to us?"
Report by Roads – General
"The Design Team have examined all alternatives and options to establish if they can meet the project objectives. This includes an assessment of a wide range of options - from alternative modes of transport to the least intrusive road option namely the Do-Minimum Option to the Management Option, which is a reuse of the existing N4, to the new road-based option corridors. Every alternative and option was assessed against the project objectives and only made it through to the public consultation if they are deemed feasible and capable of responding to the project objectives. This is the test required to ensure that the project which is presented to An Bord Pleanala will result in a successful planning application.
The option corridors presented were developed following a detailed assessment of the existing constraints, which are extensive in this area, and are capable of delivering on the project objectives. Over the course of the meetings during the public consultation, various people have identified new additional constraints and asked for other alternatives to be tested. All of this feedback will be reviewed and assessed by the design team to ensure that the preferred option selected is the optimum transport solution for the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod Project."
Mr Terry McGovern, A/Senior Engineer said the maps are very detailed, clear and concise, with the online maps being much more detailed than paper versions. He outlined the process involved in the public consultation process which is to inform stakeholders of the preliminary options developed and the findings of the constraints study in a timely manner and to provide effective opportunities to contribute to the decision-making process. Following consultation with both the Design Team and Project Managers for the Carrick on Shannon Dromod Project the closing date is being extended to 25th June. To date 162 meetings have been booked with 139 already taken place, 68 virtual online meetings have taken place, 71 by telephone. There has been both negative and positive feedback on the public consultation process but mainly a positive feedback from those who engage. All observations made by the public either go directly to the consultants via the email address, or are sent there, if received by LCC. These will all be taken into consideration by the consultants in the preparation of the Draft Selection report. The public consultation is for 6 weeks in total and the public consultation period on this project is longer than would be generally.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is the responsible body for the design and construction on National Primary Routes such as the N4. The N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod Project has been prioritised for delivery under the National Development Plan and is currently being progressed through pre-appraisal and early planning stages. Mr Joseph Gilhooly said that as the public health movement restrictions are being lifted delays on the N4 are being encountered again. If the economy grows as expected further congestion can be expected. The selection of the preferred corridor is the solution to the congestion problems on the bridge in Carrick-on-Shannon and it imperative that the programme is continued.
Councillor Thomas Mulligan said members have all attended public and private meetings and have been taken aback by the numbers attending. He paid tribute to the Consultants on their Interactive website. Councillor Mulligan said it there is a level of dissatisfaction and frustration amongst the public as it is difficult for some people to make their views known when they have not the opportunity of a face-to-face meeting available to them and he called for the consultation period to be extended to allow for face-to-face meetings and this should be extended due to the pandemic.
Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said members are aware of the views of the community and people need more time to engage with the consultation process. Some people are engaging but there is a cohort that is unable to engage. Some people with farms and homes that may be affected by the proposed corridors want to meet the consultants face to face.
Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said 2 days in a hotel with large maps displayed on the walls and Consultants available on site to talk people through the project would be beneficial. This project has been on the cards for 10 years and a further few weeks will not make that much difference to the project. Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire acknowledged that July and August are holiday months and she proposed that the consultation period be extended to allow for more COVID vaccinations to be rolled out and to allow people to meet face to face with consultants.
Councillor Sean McGowan seconded Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire’s proposal for physical meetings. Councillor Sean McGowan said some people are not able to access it online. People feel more comfortable with a face-to-face consultation.
Councillor Enda Stenson said the consultant’s interactive website is excellent, however online meetings are difficult for many people and people find the process difficult to engage with. Councillor Stenson said the Black Route is not a TII route and queried if this is an issue for Leitrim County Council. Councillor Stenson said a possible option is to connect to the N5. Councillor Stenson said he has still to hear any positive feedback, the members have to represent the people and he outlined he was not against progress and acknowledged the traffic problems in Carrick-on-Shannon and said he didn’t know how this issue was going to be solved.
Councillor Paddy Farrell supported the motions and agreed that more time is needed. Cllr Farrell said he mentioned the N5 as an option in the past.
Councillor Des Guckian said a time big extension to the consultation period is needed. Councillor Des Guckian acknowledged that online consultation is not suitable for everyone. Councillor Des Guckian, said COVID will not be over until at least October and as we have waited 30 years or more for a new road or a bridge what is four more months, when the decision will last for hundreds of years.
Councillor Guckian said he requested a large-scale detailed map and was told it was not available. Councillor Guckian said he attended a big meeting at Annaduff and the view of the people is that the N4 should be left alone from Faulties to the Circle K service station near Carrick-on-Shannon. Councillor Des Guckian said people want to know what access points there will be to any new road to allow people to enter onto it. Councillor Des Guckian agreed with the motions to extend the consultation period and said the extension should be to October and possibly further back.
Mr Terry McGovern, A/Senior Engineer said there are 8 phases to this process, - (phases 0 to 7), and this is Phase 2. The objectives for the scheme have been set, and the study area established. The constraints identified to date in this area have been considered and the Consultants have now come up with a number of alternatives and options which may or may not be road-based solutions. If a road-based solution is selected there are a number of 300m corridors identified, where a possible road could go.
Mr McGovern said that in trying to find a transportation solution to meet the objectives of the scheme, the following options and alternatives are being considered:
• Do minimum option – where existing road is used and maintained with smaller safety schemes and minor works being carried out, as has been done to date.
• Management Option – which leaves the road the way it is, but may involve the inclusion of other measures which could include reducing the number of access points, provision of safety measures i.e. traffic lights or other structures to manage the flow of traffic. This could also include the development of a road as shown by the Black Corridor on the maps, which could reduce traffic going through the town centre.
• Alternatives being examined include considering active travel solutions for local traffic or possibly a public transport alternative locally, including train line services for strategic through traffic.
For the road-based options, a list of possible route corridors have been drawn up for consideration and are assessed on a wide range of criteria, including the consideration of submissions and constraints. In addition, detailed studies are being carried out by specialists sub consultants and they look at a multitude of issues such as engineering, environment, land use, human impact, utilities, agriculture, ecology, heritage, climate action, noise, archaeology, landscape and visual, flora / fauna, SACs, NHAs, hydrology, geology, soil types, climate action, etc. and these are all taken into consideration and assessed in order to determine the preferred option.
Mr McGovern advised that, after a peer review by the TII, and approval to proceed, a proposal on the preferred option will go to An Bord Pleanala, and they will ultimately make the decision. This will most probably include an oral hearing, at which time the proposal can be challenged, and the consultants will have to defend why this is the preferred option.
Mr McGovern acknowledged the concerns about the way the consultation process is being carried out but stressed this was because of Covid and the present methods were working much better than having to bring people into a hall to view wall maps. Mr McGovern acknowledged not everyone would find the current process suitable and he said at the moment private meetings, both on–line and telephone, are available and being facilitated with half hour private consultations with two members of the team and people are being provided with maps of their own property when requested. He said the Leitrim County Council Project Liaison Officer is available also for consultations and he is Joseph Mulleady.
Mr McGovern said that because of the overall scale of the project, the paper based maps are 12 feet long and 4 feet wide and it is not feasible to issue hard copies, and in any event the scale is very small. The on-line maps, most particularly the interactive map, can be zoomed in on and gives very clear detail. For those who cannot access the online system, a telephone consultation is available, and a map of their property will be issued, if requested.
He also said that if new options such, as the N5 and N61 options, are proposed, these will be examined and that any new constraints that emerges as part of this process will be examined and taken into consideration.
Mr McGovern said that the preferred option will be selected by the end of the year and detailed design will then commence with a view to having the project go to An Bord Pleanala for consideration in 2 years, by mid 2023. There will be ongoing consultation with the affected property owners. He also stated that legislation has changed since the previous scheme was being designed, which took place a number of years ago, with changes in environmental policy, climate action, smarter travel, etc. and the subsequent emergence of new constraints. That is why it is necessary to go back and start from scratch with the project. Once the project goes before An Bord Pleanala, the proposal can be subject to further challenges at that stage.
Councillor Thomas Mulligan said there is still an information void for the general public, and he appealed to people who have not availed of the consultation process so far, to do so and he proposed the information presented by Mr McGovern should be available as a podcast.
Councillor Thomas Mulligan proposed the extension of the duration of Carrick Dromod N4 public consultation until such time that those that have not availed of the current public consultation have an opportunity for face-to-face meetings on the proposals.
Councillor Sean McGowan seconded the proposal.
Councillor Des Guckian supported the idea of the extension and said possibly covid will not be gone until October or longer and the extension should be until then. Councillor Des Guckian said Mr McGovern had said the closing date for the Public Consultation was 23rd June 2021 and this was misleading.
Councillor Thomas Mulligan asked if there was a second proposal. There was no other proposal.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said the N4 connects directly with the N5 and N6 national primary routes which also form part of the EU TEN-T comprehensive road network. The N4 carries long-distance traffic from the east of the country to the northwest of the country. It is imperative for sustainability and the local economy that County Leitrim has equal connectivity to other regions.
Mr Gilhooly said this meeting is not part of the consultation process and is only a flow of information, he urged people to use the Public Consultation process until 25th June 2021 to engage with the process and he stressed this date is unlikely to change but the views of the MD will indeed receive consideration.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said he took exception to the comments from Councillor Guckian as it was totally unacceptable to suggest that Mr Terry McGovern was trying to mislead people regarding the closing date. Mr McGovern said it was a slip of the tongue and the correct closing date is the 25th June 2021.
Councillor Thomas Mulligan suggested that Mr McGovern’s presentation be made available on the website. Mr Mulligan said members have gone as far as they can at this stage, and he reminded people to participate in the Public Consultation process.