Castlebaldwin Carriageway Decision Next July

It will be next July before any decision is announced on plans by Sligo County Council to build a new N4 carriageway from Collooney to Castlebaldwin. The proposed 15 kilometres of new carriageway would transform a stretch of road which has seen 30 white crosses erected by campaigners to mark each traffic fatality in recent years.

The case is due to be decided by July 3rd 2014, Bord Pleanala has indicated on its website. However this is usually only an indicative date and the Board of Bord Pleanala could adjudicate the issue sooner or later than that date. The project is classified by Sligo County Council as Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID), the website also confirms.

No Indication

This means that Pleanala the statutory planning authority will make the final decision There were no indication of any appeals, objections or observations lodged with Pleanala, the website confirmed yesterday morning (Friday). An oral hearing would probably be held on the N4 carriageway proposal if it is requested in correspondence before the closing date in February.

The project was lodged with Pleanala by Sligo County Council seven days before Christmas, ie December 18th. The submission includes an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by Sligo County Council plus a lengthy schedule of proposed Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs).

The Councils submission to Pleanala also proposes the extinguishment of several rights of way between Collooney and Castlebaldwin if the planned carriageway goes ahead.