Ardee councillor says bypass must proceed 'immediately'
Cllr Sheridan says Ardee Bypass must proceed immediately following High Court Judgement
Louth Councillor, John Sheridan has said that the planned Ardee Bypass must now "proceed immediately" after the High Court dismissed a legal challenge against the granting of permission for the Ardee Bypass.
The legal challenge related to An Bord Pleanála's decision that neither an Environmental Impact Assessment Report nor a Natura Impact Statement are required for the bypass that would cross Ardee Bog.
Cllr Sheridan said in a statement: "I welcome the High Court dismissing the appeal against the Ardee N52 bypass on all counts. The bypass is an important infrastructure project and it really must no proceed immediately following this judgement."
"This is extraordinarily significant step for Ardee. For far too long Ardee has been choked with lorries and pollution. The N52 bypass is a significant opportunity to remove cross country traffic from Ardee and open it up."
"This judgement shows that Louth County Council had done their job correctly, had all their paperwork correct and that An Bord Pleanala had the correct documentation to make an informed decision. Of course citizens have a right to due process and the High Court has ruled definitively. I think the fairest thing is for the bypass to proceed now."
"I will keep fighting until the N52 bypass is delivered. Transport Minister Jack Chambers visited Ardee this month to see for himself the daily congestion in the town and I will be contacting him today to discuss the next steps."