Limerick City Council An Bord Pleanála Inspector’s Report File Reference: 30 HA 0030 / 30 KA 0017. Proposed Development: Coonagh Cross to Knockalisheen Road Development Inspector: Daniel O’Connor. _____________________________________________________________________ 30 HA 0030 An Bord Pleanála Page 1 of 83 Limerick City Council TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION p 03 2.0 COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER p 04 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS - Non Technical Summary p 05 4.0 REPORT ON ORAL HEARING p 08 5.0 ASSESSMENT p 41 6.0 RECOMMENDATION – Proposed Road Development p 48 7.0 RECOMMENDATION– Compulsory Purchase Order p 49 8.0 Appendices – I List of Items handed in at hearing p 50 II List of Objectors p 51 III Environmental Impact Statement p 52 _____________________________________________________________________ 30 HA 0030 An Bord Pleanála Page 2 of 83 Limerick City Council 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The proposal is for the construction of a total of approximately 2.6 kilometres of Dual Carriageway road, the upgrading of 1.8 kilometres of single carriageway road and the construction of 600 metres of single carriageway link road in the administrative areas of Limerick City and Clare County Council. The proposed road development includes five new roundabouts, two bridges over the Limerick – Ennis railway line and dualling of 300 metres of existing single carriageway road, together with ancillary works. 1.2 The proposal is being dealt with as an application by Limerick City Council to An Bord Pleanála for approval under section 51 of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by section 9(1) (e) of the Roads Act 2007). Letter received on 8th September 2010 refers. Three copies of an Environmental Impact Statement were submitted with the application and copies of newspaper advertisements of 11 th September 2010 (Limerick Leader) and 10 th September 2010 (Clare champion) were also submitted. Details of notification of prescribed bodies were also included. Correspondence regarding the Compulsory Purchase Order was submitted separately. _____________________________________________________________________ 30 HA 0030 An Bord Pleanála Page 3 of 83 Limerick City Council 2.0 COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER 2.1 The Compulsory Purchase Order was made by Limerick City Council on 16 th October 2009 and is entitled “Limerick City Council N22 Coonagh Cross Moyross (Coonagh Cross to Knockalisheen) Compulsory Purchase Order 2009” The owners or reputed owners, lessees or reputed lessees and the occupiers of the land re set out in Schedule Part I 2.2 The description of public rights of way proposed to be extinguished is set out in Schedule Part II. 2.3 Limerick City Council applied for confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order by letter dated 6th September 2010 and enclosed supporting documentation. 2.4 The permanent land take which is subject of the CPO is 37 hectares as indicated at oral hearing –transcript p53 and comprises generally lands adjoining the proposed road network. 2.5 Temporary land take is also proposed in the vicinity of the two proposed railway bridges and the road widening at Coonagh Cross. _____________________________________________________________________ 30 HA 0030 An Bord Pleanála Page 4 of 83 Limerick City Council 3.0 IMPACTS IDENTIFIED 3.0 Introduction and Background The Environmental Impact Statement is in one volume, consisting of: - • Non-Technical Summary (separate document including figures / drawings with text of NTS included in main volume) • Part I - Background Information and General Description • Part II - Significant Environmental Effects & Proposed Ameliorative Measures • Part III – Figures 1.1 to 10.4 The document is dated June 2010 and the Statement Authors and Scheme Designners are given as Malone O’Regan Mc Gillicuddy – Roughan & O’Donovan. The impacts are identified in the Non Technical summary (NTS) 3.1 Non – Technical - Summary. (Introduction) The NTS states the proposed development is required to overcome the inadequacies of the existing road network in facilitating travel in the northern parts of Limerick City. Referring to need it states the scheme would provide an essential link road to the Moyross area. Photo 2.1 is an aerial view Moyross showing the Cratloe road in the centre of the photo with Moyross to the left and the river Shannon in the background. It gives a description of the scheme which is illustrated with photos: • 3.1 East side of coonagh Cross shopping Centre • 3.2 View to north on Cratloe Road close to proposed point of Intersection with proposed scheme • 3.3 View of Watch House Cross junction looking south on Knoclalisheen Road 3.2 NTS - Project Description It lists particular elements of the scheme including the rationale for the particular element: - • Widening Existing road at Coonagh Cross Shopping Centre to facilitate a dual carriageway • Cratloe road roundabout to give connection to the Cratloe road • Moyross Link road , single carriageway of 600 metres to give access to Moyross _____________________________________________________________________ 30 HA 0030 An Bord Pleanála Page 5 of 83 Limerick City Council • Ballygrennan railway bridge is a proposed new bridge over the Limerick-Ennis railway line between the Moyross link road and Knockalisheen Road. • Castle Park Roundabout to facilitate access to Castle park estate lands and possible future access to lands to the west of the distributor road. • Knockalisheen road Roundabout, to link the proposed distributor road to Knockalisheen Road. 3.3 NTS – Alternatives Considered The NTS describes the process followed including: • Constraints study • Route Selection Study • Preliminary Design of the Preferred Route Option • Environmental Impact Assessment. In relation to traffic, the NTS states the scheme would lead to a noticeable decrease in traffic on the Cratloe road, Ennis road and Shelbourne road. (Shelbourne road is not shown in any of the figures and runs north-south from the intersection with the Cratloe road and the ennis road approximately 3kms to the east of the proposed distributor road) 3.4 NTS – Identification of Significant Effects In relation to Human Beings , the impact is described as highly positive and it lists reduction in severance and reduction in social exclusion with increased safety listed in relation to the Knockalisheen Road. With Reference to Ecology , the NTS notes the Knockalisheen Marsh pNHA and Lower River Shannon sSAC which is bounded by the scheme. The EIS was written prior to the amendments made to the route to reduce impacts on the designated site. Noise impacts are stated to be mitigated by barriers in the vicinity of the Cratloe road roundabout and it is proposed to use low-noise road surfacing throughout. It is stated that air quality standards would not be exceeded and impact on climate would be negligible. It states that impacts on soils and geology would not be significant. With reference to Landscape , the NTS states that in the context of the Caherdavin LAP, the proposed new road would be an acceptable change in the receiving environment and would be compatible with the identified landscape values. The NTS states that the scheme would have a significant positive benefit for material assets in the area. In relation to cultural heritage, six areas of archaeological potential are impacted including wetland and architectural heritage impacted include the ground an walls and gates of Castle Park Estate. _____________________________________________________________________ 30 HA 0030 An Bord Pleanála Page 6 of 83 Limerick City Council The NTS states the consruction phase would be 18-24 months. Mitigation measures listed are: • Barriers during construction to minimise impacts on Lower River Shannon cSAC and Knockalisheen Marsh pNHA • Pre-construction surveys to establish locations for mammal underpasses, etc. • Landscape planting to be undertaken • Low –noise road surfacing to be used • Pollution control measures to be provided to protect the Lower River Shannon flood plains. • Traffic management measures to minimise traffic disruption. Reference is made in the main volume of the EIS to surface water drainage. _____________________________________________________________________ 30 HA 0030 An Bord Pleanála Page 7 of 83 Limerick City Council 4.0 REPORT ON ORAL HEARING 4.1 Introduction The hearing commenced at 10.00 a.m. on Monday, 21 st March 2011 in the Clarion Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick. It concluded on the same day. The summary of the proposed scheme, as taken from the EIS was noted by the inspector as comprising 2.8 kilometres of dual carriageway, 600 metres of single carriageway and 1.8 kms upgrading of an existing road, together with a number of new roundabouts and bridges. The Council were represented by Mr. Gerald Kiely, Senior Counsel who was instructed by Mrs. Wallace Reidy Solicitors. He said the proposed roadway went from the Coonagh Roundabout to the Knockalisheen Road and provided greater access to the Limerick/Shannon Road through that roundabout. He said it would also open up the Moyross area and provide greater access to the people there. He said at the present, the Moyross area was in effect a cul-de- sac with only one access in and out. He said the proposed roadway would open it up as one of the link roads through the roadway would run through the Moyross area. Mr. Kiely said it would also provide greater access from the Knockalisheen Road area to the Limerick/Shannon Road and would cut journey times considerably at both the Limerick and Shannon and other points of that roadway. Mr. Kiely said the purpose of the CPO was to give effect to the objectives contained in the Caherdavin Local Area Plan 2005-2011 and it was also consistent with the Limerick City Development Plan of 2004-2010. Mr. Kiely said what was also significant was the regeneration programme for the north area of the City. He said that identified the importance of vehicular access and general connectivity to the social and economic development of those areas and the Plan was ordered by the Regeneration Agency. Mr. Kiely listed the witnesses as follows:- • Mr.