Madam, - Aine Kelly (April 3rd) is very anxious for her safety and for that of her children in getting in and out of her property on the N3.
Nobody doubts that this dangerous road should be made safe and this as quickly as possible.
The problem is the route of the proposed new motorway.
Mr Michael Tobin, the CEO of the National Roads Authority, in his letter some weeks ago, was resolved to proceed with the route chosen through the Boyne / Skreen Valley and he criticised the academics who, through your newspaper, pleaded for a change of route, for not taking part in the appeal process before An Bord Pleanála.
Does he imply that only those who undertook an appeal should have any strong views in the matter?
His letter went on to expose the core of the problem here i.e. that in the view of the NRA the most economic route takes precedence over the nature of the archaeological landscape in the area, one of the oldest and most important in Europe.
It adds insult to injury that in the course of construction sites found will be examined, recorded and then destroyed.
And, what of our present Government? It has vacated its responsibility to act as protector of our heritage under the National Monuments legislation, as evidenced by its decision at Carrickmines Castle.
While the contributions of so many academics are welcomed, it is well known that their constituency is often ignored by our politicians who are content just to pay lip service to the ideals of conservation.
For as long as this "hole in the ground" attitude persists, so shall we continue to destroy our priceless archaeological heritage and disgrace ourselves again before Europe and the world. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN P. AYLMER, The Village, Newbridge, Co Kildare.