Mill Hill emergency closure highlights sub-standard road

17th January 2011

Today we have learned that Meath County Council have applied for the emergency closure of the N2 at Mill Hill in Slane village. This is the steep stretch of road leading from Slane Bridge to the crossroads in the centre of the village and scene of countless traffic incidents including fatalities over decades.

Work began before Christmas on resurfacing this section of road as it had significantly deteriorated over the last few years to the extent that traffic, including HGVs and tractors towing loads, has recently been swerving out of its designated lane to avoid potholes and subsidence. A catalogue of minor incidents have been recorded in this area resulting from the poor road quality.

This work was suspended with the onset of the cold snap before and over Christmas and resumed last week. Contractors, on examining the extent of the subsidence problem on the hill, realised that repairs would not be possible without full closure of the road. Subsequently, a decision has been taken to close the road at least until the end of the week. This latest development follows the partial collapse of the west wall of the bridge two weeks ago.

The road is clearly not fit for purpose and is of an even lower standard than was realised at the time of the drafting of the EIS for the proposed bypass. The Slane community is still waiting patiently for Bord Pleanála to announce a date for the oral hearing, which we are told will take place sometime in February. We would like this
hearing to proceed without further delay and hope that all sides in this debate treat the situation in Slane with the seriousness it deserves and take meaningful action to properly address the situation.

See the coverage on the RTE News website.

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