What was seen by many as the final stumbling block for the long awaited Ballina – Killaloe crossing has been cleared with the Court of Appeal dismissing an application to prevent the controversial project from going ahead
For years the 18th century bridge over the Shannon has caused major headaches for people in both Ballina and Killaloe, making the area a traffic bottleneck due to the delays experienced.
Plans for a multi-million Euro new crossing below the twin towns were approved by An Bord Pleanala in 2013 following a 9 day oral hearing.
However some local residents and environmental campaigners opposed this and brought a judicial review to the High Court.
On the 4th of May last, the High Court dismissed the challenge and ruled the project could go ahead.
However, this decision was then appealed to the Court of Appeal, where it has now failed.
Peter Sweetman, the man behind the objections to the project, has said he will make up his mind about whether to take the matter further in the coming days.
Funding has been ring fenced for the proposed new bridge downstream from Ballina along with a 2 kilometre bypass of Killaloe and the upgrading of a stretch of the existing R494 in Ballina.
The second crossing is seen as vital to businesses, local residents and tourists alike in the twin towns.
Local Labour TD Alan Kelly – who confirmed the funding last September – is keen to see the project advancing.
Deputy Kelly says Ballina and Killaloe have suffered because of this for years and are eager to make the most of the opportunities the new crossing will provide.
