Slane hit hard in recent cold snap further highlighting need for bypass.

6th December 2010

Slane figured prominently in national media coverage of the recent snow with the N2 between Collon and Kilmoon Cross being branded a 'no-go' zone and the closure of N51 at various times over the last fortnight.

Commentary on the situation in a number of media highlighted the need for the bypass of the village and cited the dire conditions as a further reason why the bypass needs full attention. The EIS on the proposed bypass states that the gradients on the roads in the village are above accepted maxima for national routes, i.e., they are too steep, and the recent weather conditions have only highlighted this situation further.

Road conditions in Slane were specifically mentioned for Slane every day in the IRish Times from 30th November, sometimes with several mentions of the village in a single edition. An example of this coverage appears in a round-up of road conditions nationally on 6th December. The report stated that Slane in Co Meath was reported as impassable after a number of coaches got stuck on Glasallen Hill just north of the village and a number of cars have gone into ditches. They also reported that a lorry also jack-knifed in the village and a garda spokesman said that motorists should avoid the village as it was impassable. The full article can be accessed HERE.

A number of local people also featured on RTE Liveline show with Joe Duffy talking about conditions in the village and at Glasallen Hill. Local people pulled out all the stops to help keep the traffic (including HGVs) moving. A podcast of the programme can be accessed HERE.

The Meath Chronicle judged Slane to be the hardest-hit community in the county. Read the full article HERE.

 

Meath County Council and Civil Defence workers clear footpaths in Slane village after recent heavy snowfalls (Meath Chronicle).