Archaeologists have learned that the national monument discovered during works on the M3 motorway at Lismullin, Co Meath is more than 2,000 years old.
A number of stake holes that would have formed an enclosure were discovered by archaeologists working on the controversial site and radio carbon dating has indicated they have been there since the Iron Age.
"Right now we are interpreting the site as being an open air ceremonial enclosure. Once we begin excavating we will know a lot more," said Mary Deevy, project archaeologist with the National Roads Authority.
The recent spell of bad weather has delayed the archaeologists' progress at Lismullin but contractors Eurolink remain confident that the works will be carried out appropriately and on time.
"The next step will be a geophysical survey of the enclosure once the weather improves. As soon as that is carried out we can begin excavating the enclosure," Ms Deevy said.
An underground souterrain from about the 10th century has also been discovered on the site. Archaeologists said it was possibly used for defence during the Viking invasion.
Once the excavation is complete the building of the motorway will commence and the monument will be preserved only by record.
Protesters against the M3 development continue to gather at the Lismullin site.
Earlier this week there were heated exchanges between protesters, construction workers and security personnel. The exchanges resulted in seven arrests.
Steven Carroll
© 2007 The Irish Times
Showing posts with label m3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label m3. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Saturday, 10 March 2007
Contracts for construction of M3 signed
Contracts for the construction of one of the State's most expensive motorway sections yet, the controversial M3 motorway in Co Meath, have been signed by Siac Ferrovial and the National Roads Authority. The cost of the road, including land, is €900 million.
Siac Ferrovial, an Irish-Spanish consortium trading as Eurolink, has already commenced preparatory works and has moved machinery on to a site compound at Dunshaughlin. Construction of the 60km of motorway and 50km of ancillary roads is now expected to get under way in earnest.
A spokesman for Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said there were no outstanding issues in relation to archaeology to delay the start of the project.
At €900 million, the road is more expensive than all schemes so far except the upgrade of the M50 where the addition of a third lane and upgrade of the junctions is expected to cost €1 billion. In comparison, Dublin Port Tunnel cost some €750 million - although the contractor is seeking additional payments - and the Shannon Tunnel in Limerick has a projected cost of about €570 million. The South Eastern Motorway, the most expensive section of the M50, cost about €500 million.
Opponents of the M3 have not ruled out another legal challenge and in the last month transport researcher Brian Guckian has lodged complaints against Ireland with the European Commission and the European Parliament over four Irish motorway projects, including the M3.
He told The Irish Times yesterday his complaint related to defects in the environmental impact assessments of the M3, the proposed M7/M8 motorway in the midlands, the Monkstown Ring Road in south Dublin and two schemes on the N6/M6 between Athlone and Galway.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Siac Ferrovial, an Irish-Spanish consortium trading as Eurolink, has already commenced preparatory works and has moved machinery on to a site compound at Dunshaughlin. Construction of the 60km of motorway and 50km of ancillary roads is now expected to get under way in earnest.
A spokesman for Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said there were no outstanding issues in relation to archaeology to delay the start of the project.
At €900 million, the road is more expensive than all schemes so far except the upgrade of the M50 where the addition of a third lane and upgrade of the junctions is expected to cost €1 billion. In comparison, Dublin Port Tunnel cost some €750 million - although the contractor is seeking additional payments - and the Shannon Tunnel in Limerick has a projected cost of about €570 million. The South Eastern Motorway, the most expensive section of the M50, cost about €500 million.
Opponents of the M3 have not ruled out another legal challenge and in the last month transport researcher Brian Guckian has lodged complaints against Ireland with the European Commission and the European Parliament over four Irish motorway projects, including the M3.
He told The Irish Times yesterday his complaint related to defects in the environmental impact assessments of the M3, the proposed M7/M8 motorway in the midlands, the Monkstown Ring Road in south Dublin and two schemes on the N6/M6 between Athlone and Galway.
Tim O'Brien
© 2007 The Irish Times
Thursday, 15 February 2007
Tara to be placed on a list of the world's 100 most endangered sites.
The Irish Indo' tells us of how the Ancient Hill of Tara has been nominated for inclusion on a list of the world's 100 most endangered sites.
The World Monuments Watch has helped save 420 irreplaceable sites in 80 countries, including the ancient Buddhist temple of Preah Khan at Angkor, Cambodia, built in 1191.
Environmentalists hope inclusion on the 2008 list will boost their campaign to reroute the M3 away from the fort. They claim the site is being threatened by construction of the M3 motorway, ancillary development and neglect.
However, the National Roads Authority point out the new road will be much safer, will save lives every year and is further away than the existing road.
Vincent Salafia of TaraWatch said the nomination takes the campaign to halt work on the M3 to a new level internationally.
"We are extremely hopeful the Government will think twice before signing the 30-year construction and tolling contract," he said. "The sustainable alternatives must be reviewed in light of the new data and EU rules on transport carbon emissions and climate change."
International expert Dr Ron Hicks, of the Department of Anthropology, Ball State University, Indiana endorsed the nomination. A decision on whether to include the Hill of Tara on the list will be made in the summer.
The World Monuments Watch has helped save 420 irreplaceable sites in 80 countries, including the ancient Buddhist temple of Preah Khan at Angkor, Cambodia, built in 1191.
Environmentalists hope inclusion on the 2008 list will boost their campaign to reroute the M3 away from the fort. They claim the site is being threatened by construction of the M3 motorway, ancillary development and neglect.
However, the National Roads Authority point out the new road will be much safer, will save lives every year and is further away than the existing road.
Vincent Salafia of TaraWatch said the nomination takes the campaign to halt work on the M3 to a new level internationally.
"We are extremely hopeful the Government will think twice before signing the 30-year construction and tolling contract," he said. "The sustainable alternatives must be reviewed in light of the new data and EU rules on transport carbon emissions and climate change."
International expert Dr Ron Hicks, of the Department of Anthropology, Ball State University, Indiana endorsed the nomination. A decision on whether to include the Hill of Tara on the list will be made in the summer.
Friday, 19 January 2007
M3 toll firm to make €590m
Paul Melia tells us that Commuters from Meath to Dublin would each pay €2,000 per year
THE operator of the proposed M3 motorway linking Dublin to north Meath is expected to take in almost €590m in tolls over a 30-year period.
The is €13m more than the estimated €577m cost of building the 47km motorway, even though the company will not be expected to meet the full cost of construction.
Yesterday, an oral hearing into the proposed toll scheme was told that commuters travelling from Meath to Dublin would each pay over €2,000 a year in tolls, assuming they use the motorway.
Drivers using the full length of carriageway would pay a total of €2.60 at two toll booths, and the National Roads Authority expects 72,000 motorists a year to be paying tolls by 2024, of which 13,000 users will pay at both tolls.
The NRA said that based on tolls decided in 2000 - where a car using both tolls would pay a total of €1.75 - the toll revenue per year would be €13.2m.
However, given that the proposed charge when the motorway opens is €2.60 to use both toll booths, the likely operator - the Eurolink consortium - stands to take in some €586m during the 30-year concessionary period. The construction figure is not yet available as contracts must still be signed, but the consortium will bear some of the construction costs, with the taxpayer paying the rest.
Eurolink stand to make considerable profits during the 30-year arrangement.
Speaking at the oral hearing yesterday, the head of Public Private Partnerships and Tolling at the NRA, Gerry Murphy, said the proposed tolls
would be the lowest charge on the national roads network. Charges were "significantly below" levels that would maximise revenues, he said.
"A toll-charge sensitivity analysis indicated that a 20pc higher car charge at the southern plaza and at certain interchange ramps would increase revenues by the order of 25pc," he said.
"The NRA proposed instead to apply lower toll charges in order to reduce the diversionary effect.
Charges
"The charges proposed are less than the charges adopted by the NRA in toll schemes for the Waterford bypass, the Fermoy bypass, the Limerick tunnel, the M1 motorway at Drogheda and the Galway-Ballinasloe scheme."
There were angry scenes at yesterday's hearing as objectors to the tolling system - who include members of Meath Co Council - said the road would impose an unfair burden on commuters. The other objectors include members of An Taisce, local residents and conservation objectors to the motorway, which will run beside the Hill of Tara.
These groups said the tolls would result in drivers avoiding the motorway and lead to congestion on the existing N3.
There was also criticism that the hearing into the tolling scheme was only taking place yesterday, five years after the motorway was announced. The NRA said this was because of legal challenges to the motorway, which had to be concluded first.
"There should, of course, be no tolls," said Councillor John Barry of Meath Co Council. "Why, on a motorway from Dublin to Newry, is there only one toll? Why are two tolls proposed? The people of Kells will travel on the old road, as will people coming from Cavan."
Councillor Philip Cantwell said the toll was a "financial gathering exercise, pure and simple", and it was "bleeding taxpayers of their wages".
Counsel for the NRA, Dermot McGuinness, said an alternative untolled route would be available.
"People will be free to use the N3 as it exists. There will be considerable degree of toll-free access."
Inspector Dom Hegarty will send his report to the NRA board. He can recommend that there be no toll, in which case the NRA would have to pay the operator the cash equivalent of the toll every year.
The Irish Indo' has them anwering objections:
Objection:
Tolls will place an 'unacceptable' financial burden on people living in Meath and commuting to Dublin.
Response:
The National Roads Authority says motorists will save time and benefit economically. Drivers can also use the untolled N3.
Objection:
Scheme is already funded by the EU and National Development Plan.
Response:
The NRA says just €2.9m has been provided by the EU, and the NDP states the need for private finance to supplement exchequer investment.
Objection:
Delays are likely to occur at toll plazas.
Response:
NRA says the plazas are designed so tolling will take a maximum of 30 seconds.
Objection:
Tolling discriminates against Meath residents compared with people commuting into Dublin from other counties, and tolling will hinder local development.
Response:
NRA says economic development will be curtailed without the motorway.
Objection:
Tolling will divert traffic onto local roads.
Response:
NRA agrees but says overall volumes will be reduced.
Objection:
Meath county council will be obliged to maintain existing N3 once M3 opens.
Response:
NRA says the council will receive commercial rates based on the annual toll revenues collected
THE operator of the proposed M3 motorway linking Dublin to north Meath is expected to take in almost €590m in tolls over a 30-year period.
The is €13m more than the estimated €577m cost of building the 47km motorway, even though the company will not be expected to meet the full cost of construction.
Yesterday, an oral hearing into the proposed toll scheme was told that commuters travelling from Meath to Dublin would each pay over €2,000 a year in tolls, assuming they use the motorway.
Drivers using the full length of carriageway would pay a total of €2.60 at two toll booths, and the National Roads Authority expects 72,000 motorists a year to be paying tolls by 2024, of which 13,000 users will pay at both tolls.
The NRA said that based on tolls decided in 2000 - where a car using both tolls would pay a total of €1.75 - the toll revenue per year would be €13.2m.
However, given that the proposed charge when the motorway opens is €2.60 to use both toll booths, the likely operator - the Eurolink consortium - stands to take in some €586m during the 30-year concessionary period. The construction figure is not yet available as contracts must still be signed, but the consortium will bear some of the construction costs, with the taxpayer paying the rest.
Eurolink stand to make considerable profits during the 30-year arrangement.
Speaking at the oral hearing yesterday, the head of Public Private Partnerships and Tolling at the NRA, Gerry Murphy, said the proposed tolls
would be the lowest charge on the national roads network. Charges were "significantly below" levels that would maximise revenues, he said.
"A toll-charge sensitivity analysis indicated that a 20pc higher car charge at the southern plaza and at certain interchange ramps would increase revenues by the order of 25pc," he said.
"The NRA proposed instead to apply lower toll charges in order to reduce the diversionary effect.
Charges
"The charges proposed are less than the charges adopted by the NRA in toll schemes for the Waterford bypass, the Fermoy bypass, the Limerick tunnel, the M1 motorway at Drogheda and the Galway-Ballinasloe scheme."
There were angry scenes at yesterday's hearing as objectors to the tolling system - who include members of Meath Co Council - said the road would impose an unfair burden on commuters. The other objectors include members of An Taisce, local residents and conservation objectors to the motorway, which will run beside the Hill of Tara.
These groups said the tolls would result in drivers avoiding the motorway and lead to congestion on the existing N3.
There was also criticism that the hearing into the tolling scheme was only taking place yesterday, five years after the motorway was announced. The NRA said this was because of legal challenges to the motorway, which had to be concluded first.
"There should, of course, be no tolls," said Councillor John Barry of Meath Co Council. "Why, on a motorway from Dublin to Newry, is there only one toll? Why are two tolls proposed? The people of Kells will travel on the old road, as will people coming from Cavan."
Councillor Philip Cantwell said the toll was a "financial gathering exercise, pure and simple", and it was "bleeding taxpayers of their wages".
Counsel for the NRA, Dermot McGuinness, said an alternative untolled route would be available.
"People will be free to use the N3 as it exists. There will be considerable degree of toll-free access."
Inspector Dom Hegarty will send his report to the NRA board. He can recommend that there be no toll, in which case the NRA would have to pay the operator the cash equivalent of the toll every year.
The Irish Indo' has them anwering objections:
Objection:
Tolls will place an 'unacceptable' financial burden on people living in Meath and commuting to Dublin.
Response:
The National Roads Authority says motorists will save time and benefit economically. Drivers can also use the untolled N3.
Objection:
Scheme is already funded by the EU and National Development Plan.
Response:
The NRA says just €2.9m has been provided by the EU, and the NDP states the need for private finance to supplement exchequer investment.
Objection:
Delays are likely to occur at toll plazas.
Response:
NRA says the plazas are designed so tolling will take a maximum of 30 seconds.
Objection:
Tolling discriminates against Meath residents compared with people commuting into Dublin from other counties, and tolling will hinder local development.
Response:
NRA says economic development will be curtailed without the motorway.
Objection:
Tolling will divert traffic onto local roads.
Response:
NRA agrees but says overall volumes will be reduced.
Objection:
Meath county council will be obliged to maintain existing N3 once M3 opens.
Response:
NRA says the council will receive commercial rates based on the annual toll revenues collected
NRA denies that hearing into plan totoll M3 is a 'farce'
Elaine Keogh in the Irish Times tells us:
The National Roads Authority (NRA) yesterday told the hearing into objections to its proposal to toll the M3 motorway that it expected to sign a contract for the public-private partnership (PPP) in the coming weeks.
The NRA denied this made the hearing a "farce" or a "camouflage".
It also said the charges proposed for the two toll plazas along the 47km motorway "have not been set at levels that would maximise revenue".
The road will cost €680 million and link Clonee on the Dublin/Meath border to Kells.
A car will pay a toll of €1.30, which is the "lowest planned car toll on the national roads network," said Gerry Murphy, the head of public-private partnerships and tolling with the NRA.
Meath County Council objected to the tolling, and Cllr John Farrelly said he believed 70 per cent of the 16,000 people who commuted daily to Dublin from Kells would face an annual bill of up to €2,112 if they used the motorway. They would, therefore, continue to use the N3.
He asked the inspector chairing the hearing, Dom Hegarty, if the holding of the hearing was a "camouflage" as he believed the decision had been made to sign the contract for the PPP in the next three weeks.
Mr Murphy said it would be signed within the next two months, possibly one month.
He said it was a flexible contract which gave the NRA the option of deciding not to toll the scheme or to remove the tolls later.
A number of protesters, including members of Tara Watch, an umbrella group for organisations concerned about the possible impact of the M3 on the Hill of Tara, were in the audience and made statements.
Tara Watch said the hearing was a "farce" and should give people the right to reject it. However it appeared the contract was going to be signed anyway.
During the hearing one woman heckled the inspector and the NRA team, alleging they had not done their job properly.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) yesterday told the hearing into objections to its proposal to toll the M3 motorway that it expected to sign a contract for the public-private partnership (PPP) in the coming weeks.
The NRA denied this made the hearing a "farce" or a "camouflage".
It also said the charges proposed for the two toll plazas along the 47km motorway "have not been set at levels that would maximise revenue".
The road will cost €680 million and link Clonee on the Dublin/Meath border to Kells.
A car will pay a toll of €1.30, which is the "lowest planned car toll on the national roads network," said Gerry Murphy, the head of public-private partnerships and tolling with the NRA.
Meath County Council objected to the tolling, and Cllr John Farrelly said he believed 70 per cent of the 16,000 people who commuted daily to Dublin from Kells would face an annual bill of up to €2,112 if they used the motorway. They would, therefore, continue to use the N3.
He asked the inspector chairing the hearing, Dom Hegarty, if the holding of the hearing was a "camouflage" as he believed the decision had been made to sign the contract for the PPP in the next three weeks.
Mr Murphy said it would be signed within the next two months, possibly one month.
He said it was a flexible contract which gave the NRA the option of deciding not to toll the scheme or to remove the tolls later.
A number of protesters, including members of Tara Watch, an umbrella group for organisations concerned about the possible impact of the M3 on the Hill of Tara, were in the audience and made statements.
Tara Watch said the hearing was a "farce" and should give people the right to reject it. However it appeared the contract was going to be signed anyway.
During the hearing one woman heckled the inspector and the NRA team, alleging they had not done their job properly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)