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Macroom Mayor tackles eco minister on SAC delay to bypass

THE Mayor of Macroom delivered a sharp message to the visiting Minister for the Environment last week to fast-track through the new section of the proposed bypass road to replace a former section controversially declared a special area of conservation (SAC) by the Minister during the summer.

O'Connell tells Gormley he must rapidly make up for Cascade Wood delay to vital new road 

THE Mayor of Macroom delivered a sharp message to the visiting Minister for the Environment last week to fast-track through the new section of the proposed bypass road to replace a former section controversially declared a special area of conservation (SAC) by the Minister during the summer.

Mayor Pat O'Connell took the opportunity of a visit by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley to tell him face-to-face to speedily process the new section of road that was to replace the portion the Minister dramatically declared an SAC some months ago.

 

The mayor did not hesitate to tell the minister — who imposed SAC status on Cascade Wood outside Ballyvourney to protect a rare species of snail along with other protected species — that the new replacement section must now be processed with as much haste as can be mustered.

The bypass route was essential for Macroom, which witnessed thousands of cars passing through its main street every day, the Mayor told the Environment Minister who visited Macroom Environmental Industrial Park last Friday to launch a new waste-saving programme. 

The Minister caused consternation during the holiday season when he decided to impose a protection order on a rare section of wood – which lay in the path of the proposed new bypass route between Macroom and Tralee – because it harbours rare and protected species which includes the horseshoe bat and the Kerry slug. 

The decision was greeted with dismay by many townspeople who were outraged the vital bypass was delayed – but others including local environmentalists supported the preservation order on the wood which is said to be a remnant of the Killarney Park wood and on wildlife said to pre-date the ice-age. 

Mayor O'Connell, in a no-holes barred statement, said the replacement road section for Cascade Wood must now be speeded through to meet the deadline for the National Roads Authority Compulsory Purchase Order process. 

The new section of road to replace the Cascade Wood section will have to go through various mandatory procedures which will include the EIS stage if it arises and an effort should be made to help this process along, the Mayor said. 

Any EIS should be dealt with as soon as is feasible so that the bypass route is not delayed any further, the Mayor said availing of the opportunity to address the Minister personally The Cascade wood issue went all the way to Brussels to be processed and was there declared to be ecologically sensitive enough to merit it the rare SAC status, which was conferred by the Minister.

Anne Ryan
© The Corkman 17.01.08
Last modified on Tuesday, 05 February 2008 12:10

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