Farmers’ concerns over City By-pass project to be aired
BY ANDREW HAMILTON
Nearly 90 Galway farmers will appear before An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing in relation to the N6 Galway City Ring Road in the coming weeks.
A total of 88 farmers have lodged submissions in relation to the ring road, with issues such as the division of farms, the demolition of farm buildings and the potential for stampedes during the construction phase all highlighted.
More than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of farmland will be affected by the proposed construction of the N6 Galway City Ring Road in its current form.
A total of 32 landowners have raised issues about their land being acquired to make way for the ring road; 10 farmers raised concerns over the impact that the development would have on their remaining land while 57 landowners raised concerns over gaining access to their land when the road is operational.
Fears have also been raised over the possibility that noise generated during the construction of the ring road could lead to stampedes from livestock.
Speaking at the oral hearing on Wednesday afternoon, agricultural consultant, Con Curtin, said that construction work could lead to a “flight response” among livestock which could lead to injury.
“Livestock very quickly adapt to construction machinery noises, vibrations and movements and will graze land adjoining new roads during the construction and operational phases,” said Mr Curtin.
“However, during the construction phase, livestock may react in an unpredictable manner where there are sudden changes in the grazing environment and there is the potential for injury due to the flight response.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.