A plan to build six roundabouts in a square mile area north of Dundalk has been criticised strongly by a Co Louth environmental group. The roundabouts are part of an overall scheme for the northern link motorway, a 4 km motorway joining the existing N1 north of Dundalk with the western bypass of the town.
The Ravensdale Valley Environmental Group (RVEG), which has officially objected to the scheme, is also questioning the development of the preferred route for the new main Dublin-Belfast motorway. As part of its campaign, the RVEG has told the public inquiry into the northern link to the western bypass there are no engineering reasons for the six roundabouts.
The first roundabout is proposed for the inner relief road; the current Ballymascanlon roundabout will be increased in size and a second smaller one will be located in Faughart, giving them a dumb-bell shape. The other roundabouts are on the old road to Newry, farther along the current N1, and will give motorists the option to join the motorway or stay on the old road.
The final one is at Thistle Cross, approximately a mile north of Dundalk and marks the end of the proposed western bypass.
"The roundabouts will have a serious impact on the quality of life for local people. Someone living in Faughart who wants to travel to the local shop at Dowdallshill, Dundalk less than a mile away would have to traverse six roundabouts in less than a one square mile area," committee member Ms Dolores Whelan said.
The Dundalk western bypass will eventually form part of the new motorway to the Border, the preferred route for which is known as the "blue route". The RVEG has supported an alternative, the "red route".
A county council spokeswoman said all the issues raised by the group will be addressed at the public inquiry.