Report Status: Final Job No: P45800 Name Signature Date Prepared By: Various 22/03/2010 Checked By: Eric Spronck 22/03/2010 Approved By: Demitrios Paraskevakis 22/03/2010 © Grontmij 2008 This document is a Grontmij confidential document; it may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part to any third party without our express prior written consent. It should be used by you and the permitted discloses for the purpose for which it has been submitted and for no other. N2 Clontibret to Northern Ireland Border Road Scheme Constraints Study Report Ref.: P45800-N2C2NI Constraints Study Report - Final.doc Final March 2010 Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................1-1 1.2 Constraints Study and Scheme Progression .............................................1-1 1.3 Objectives..................................................................................................1-3 1.3.1 Economy ......................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3.2 Safety .............................................................................................................. 1-3 1.3.3 Environment.................................................................................................... 1-4 1.3.4 Accessibility and Social Inclusion ................................................................... 1-4 1.3.5 Integration ....................................................................................................... 1-5 1.4 Study Area .................................................................................................1-5 1.4.1 Identification of the Study Area....................................................................... 1-5 1.5 Mapping.....................................................................................................1-5 1.6 Windscreen Surveys..................................................................................1-6 1.7 Planning Constraints..................................................................................1-6 1.8 Consultations .............................................................................................1-6 1.9 Format of the Report..................................................................................1-7 2 Need for the Scheme ..................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Background................................................................................................2-1 2.2.1 Project History................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2.2 The Existing N2............................................................................................... 2-2 2.2.3 N2 / A5 Corridor Improvements ...................................................................... 2-3 2.3 Need ..........................................................................................................2-3 2.3.1 Policies and Plans........................................................................................... 2-3 2.3.2 The National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013........................................ 2-3 2.3.3 Transport 21.................................................................................................... 2-5 2.3.4 The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002 - 2020.......................................... 2-7 2.3.5 Monaghan County Development Plan 2007 – 2013....................................... 2-8 2.3.6 Regional Development Plan ........................................................................... 2-9 2.4 Benefits....................................................................................................2-11 2.4.1 Improved Road Safety .................................................................................. 2-11 2.4.2 Reduced Travel Times and Traffic Congestion ............................................ 2-12 2.4.3 Improved links between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland......... 2-12 2.4.4 Improved Access between Donegal, Monaghan and Dublin........................ 2-12 3 Public Consultation ....................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................3-1 3.2 Consultation...............................................................................................3-1 3.2.1 Elected Members ............................................................................................ 3-1 3.2.2 General Public ................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2.3 Attendance...................................................................................................... 3-2 3.3 Conclusions ...............................................................................................3-3 N2 Clontibret to Northern Ireland Border Road Scheme Constraints Study Report Ref.: P45800-N2C2NI Constraints Study Report - Final.doc Final March 2010 Table of Contents 3.3.1 Initial Responses............................................................................................. 3-3 3.3.2 Returned Questionnaires................................................................................ 3-3 4 Engineering .................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................4-1 4.2 Methodology ..............................................................................................4-1 4.3 Detailed Description...................................................................................4-1 4.3.1 Topography..................................................................................................... 4-1 4.3.2 Rivers & Lakes................................................................................................ 4-2 4.3.3 Arterial Drainage Scheme............................................................................... 4-2 4.3.4 Existing Road and Railway Network............................................................... 4-3 4.3.5 Tie-in Constraints............................................................................................ 4-4 4.3.6 Services .......................................................................................................... 4-5 4.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................4-5 5 Traffic .............................................................................................. 5-1 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................5-1 5.2 Methodology ..............................................................................................5-1 5.3 Detailed Description...................................................................................5-1 5.3.1 Existing Traffic................................................................................................. 5-1 5.3.2 Public Transport.............................................................................................. 5-1 5.3.3 Existing NRA Traffic Data ............................................................................... 5-2 5.3.4 Traffic Flows.................................................................................................... 5-4 5.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................5-4 6 Ecology ........................................................................................... 6-1 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................6-1 6.2 Flora, Habitats and Ornithology .................................................................6-1 6.2.1 Methodology.................................................................................................... 6-2 6.2.2 Detailed Description........................................................................................ 6-3 6.3 Mammal Survey.......................................................................................6-12 6.3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 6-12 6.3.2 Methodology.................................................................................................. 6-14 6.3.3 Detailed Description...................................................................................... 6-15 6.4 Conclusions .............................................................................................6-17 6.4.1 Designated Conservation Areas ................................................................... 6-17 6.4.2 Potential Ecological Sites.............................................................................. 6-18 7 Geology and Hydrogeology .......................................................... 7-1 7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................7-1