S.I. No. 521/2019 - Planning and Development Act 2000Section 181(2)(a)(No. 5) Order 2019

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 29th October, 2019.

WHEREAS the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport -

(a) is satisfied that the development described in the Schedule proposed to be carried out on his behalf by Transport Infrastructure Ireland is required by reason of an emergency being the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from membership of the European Union,

(b) has considered whether an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment is required in respect of the development so proposed to be carried out and is satisfied that no such assessment or assessments is or are required, and therefore is satisfied that an application to An Bord Pleanála for approval under section 181 (2A)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is not required, and

THEREFORE NOW the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 181 (2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000) hereby makes the following order:

1. This Order may be cited as the Planning and Development Act 2000 Section 181(2)(a) (No. 5) Order 2019.

2. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000) shall not apply, pursuant to subsections (2) to (2AA) of section 181 of that Act, to the development described in the Schedule proposed to be carried out on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

SCHEDULE

Site:

Irish Water Regional Biosolids Storage Facility

Address:

Newtown North Road (R135), Dublin 11.

Description:

The development is for the use of the existing Irish Water site at Newtown, Kilshane Cross, Dublin 11 as a temporary truck park in the period following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Following this event, expected additional customs, agriculture and health inspection checks within the Dublin Port Company lands may be expected to give rise to additional traffic congestion in the port area and its vicinity. Congestion in the East Wall Road area is likely to result in the closure of the Dublin Tunnel. The tunnel is obliged to close when congestion of the toll plaza would otherwise lead to static traffic in the tunnel. For road safety and health reasons, standing traffic in the tunnel is not permitted.

Closure of the tunnel can quickly lead to lengthy tailbacks on both the M50 and M1 motorways, which if prolonged can lead to widespread traffic congestion across the city. The provision of temporary truck parking facilities outside of the port area is intended to provide a facility for truck drivers bound for Dublin port to park for a period of time while port congestion dissipates.

The development will necessitate the stripping of topsoil from the area in question and the placement of hardstanding material sufficient for truck axle loading. Temporary toilet and welfare facilities will be provided along with the provision of electric generators, lighting, CCTV and security. In order to accommodate the additional truck traffic in the vicinity of the site, new traffic lights will be installed at the adjacent junction of the N2 slip road with the North road. Associated fixed and variable message signage will be provided on M50, N2 and immediate approach road to the site.

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GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Transport,

Tourism and Sport,

24 October, 2019.

ÁINE STAPLETON,

A person authorised under section 15 of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 to authenticate the seal of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.