Madam, - So, no progress yet on building the Slane by-pass, while lorry traffic there is increasing, despite the splendid new motorway from Dublin to Dundalk, with its link to the Slane/Derry road at Ardee (The Irish Times, July 24th). It would seem that the HGVs are avoiding the M1 tolls at Drogheda by diverting through Slane, with increasing risk of road accidents.
A quick, short-term solution suggests itself: why not a toll on HGVs at Slane, at the same rate as now being charged on the Drogheda by-pass? This would divert long-distance goods vehicles back onto the M1 and greatly reduce the risks to life and limb at this strategic crossing of the Boyne.
Looking to the future, the proposed M2 and M3 are planned to run within a few miles of each other and not far from the M1, all in the same general direction. State funding of three parallel motorways in one county can hardly be justified. If all three are built, Meath will have the doubtful benefit of being cut into four strips by these three motorways, with consequent damage to farmland and wildlife, to local communities, and to the significant archaeological remains in the county.
Once again, a simpler solution will achieve the desired result. A spur from the M1 west of Drogheda to link with the N3 south of Navan would be shorter by half, and thus cheaper and less disruptive than building the M2 and 3 through the Royal County. It would also siphon off the traffic that now clogs Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin.
How about some lateral thinking, even at this late stage? - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL BOYLE,
Butterfield Drive,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.