Action Committee formed at Rathowen protest meeting

The failure of the NRA to provide slip roads, along the proposed route of the new N2 dual carriageway, for the residents of Ballinalack and Rathowen, was condemned by residents who attended a public meeting in Rathowen Hall last week. The fact that homes will be demolished, farms divided and businesses put under threat, ensured a large turnout of residents from surrounding areas, not directly affected by the planned route.In the plans unveiled last week, the NRA indicated that the route of the new Mullingar to Rooskey Road, would run south of the existing route, with slip roads east of Portnashangan and west of Edgeworthstown. The meeting heard that the slip roads would be separated by a distance of sixteen miles, leading to severe difficulties, particularly in relation to medical emergencies.Public representatives who were in attendance at the meeting, urged those present to form an Action Committee to protest at the current plans and to lobby for major changes, principally surrounding the question of access. It was pointed out that the last day for the acceptance of submissions in relation to the planned route is August 6, allowing just under a month for the Committee to act.Opening the meeting, Cllr. Robert Troy said that while funding for major infrastructural works, such as the proposed route, has been suspended indefinitely, it was still important for residents's voices to be heard. "The lack of slip roads to service Ballinalack and Rathowen should be a major concern. It will have a detriminetal effect on businesses and jobs and also the emergency services. It is a long way from Rathowen to Edgeworthstown and back, to reach a patient". he stressed.Supporting his colleague, Cllr. Johnny Penrose said the public representatives would put their full weight behind an action committee. The formation of a committee is vital for local business, the local economy and the local community. The final decision is not set in concrete and there will be twists and turns", he added.Catherine Leslie from Legan, felt a month was not sufficient time in which to make a detailed submission. "Will they just not point to the distance between Kinnegad and Enfield on the existing M4", she enquired.Denis Lundon from Bunbrosna, told the meeting he had made a personal submission some time ago. He spoke to people in the Design Office and was informed that a space of four and a half feet was being suggested per lane. "To me that means the road will be narrower than the current road. There is enough room on the existing road to put in four lanes", he suggested. In a partying shot Mr. Lundon advised those present: "we needn't worry about this. We will be well dead before it's built!"Accepting that a time lapse is a real possibility, Mr. Troy urged the meeting to take immediate action, given that the NRA might receive an allocation of funding, allowing the N4 project to be moved on. "We should want to have our say rather than thinking this won't happen".After Leonard Greene enquired when the blanket ban for development might be removed, Mr. Troy believed it would not be removed until the building of the road commenced.Vincent Maguire said the project is something which affects everybody in the community."We must put our voices together and so something about this", he added.Following some further debate, the meeting elected an Action Committee which will be chaired by John Feerick, owner of Feerick's Hotel in Rathowen. He reminded the audience that it was not just Rathown and Ballinalack that are affected. "This also affects the wider community. We must meet with the people in the Design Office and take nothing less than a slip road. We must get our submission in now. I would urge people to join the committee so the submission can be drawn up and published.Catherine Leslie accepted the position of Secretary while Vincent Maguire, Joanstown, Noel Monaghan, Ballinalack and Leonard Greene, Multyfarnham and Jimmy Duffy, Corry also allowed their names to go forward.Before the meeting concluded Deputy James Bannon said he had made many submissions to Minister Noel Dempsey, the NRA and Minister John Gormley over the past twelve months."At the end of the day, it will be people power and people pressure which will win out. I don't believe a village such as Rathowen will be bypassed. We can't be left in a situation where the people of Streete, Lismacaffrey and other outlying villages are left without access to the N4", declared Mr. Bannon who assured the Action Committee of his full support.