FAQ'S
Where is the project located?
The N2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross project is located immediately north of Ashbourne, County Meath and forms part of the N2 National Primary route which links Dublin to Derry.
What is the project?
The N2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross project is a scheme being developed in accordance with the TII Project Management Guidelines (PMG). ROD-AECOM has been appointed as the Consultant to progress this scheme. The development of this scheme is subject to the relevant approvals and funding being provided.
What is the need for this project?
The need for an improvement of the N2 between Rath Roundabout and Kilmoon Cross is compatible with several studies that have been carried out by Meath County Council along with other regional and national studies. It is referenced in a number of policy documents including the National Planning Framework (Ireland 2040), the National Development Plan (2018-2027) and the National Transport Authority’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area.
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How likely is the scheme to be built?
The upgrade of the N2 has been identified within a list of key projects in the recently published National Planning Framework and National Development Plan however the advancement of the schemes is subject to ongoing funding and statutory approvals.
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How will the scheme be progressed?
The TII Project Management Guidelines (PMG) informs the design process. A study area has been defined, constraints have been identified and initial feasible route options have been identified by the Consulting Engineer. At this point the study area, constraints, and initial feasible route options will go on public display during the first period of non-statutory public consultation, the public is invited to make submissions or comments.
The initial feasible route options will then be assessed by the Consulting Engineer, and a shortlist of route corridor options is then selected. These route corridor options will be further refined and appraised before an emerging preferred route corridor is identified.
What does a route corridor represent?
Route corridors on this project will typically be 200m in width. Route corridors do not represent the actual width of the road scheme or lands to be acquired. The corridors give an indication of the area within which it is intended to develop a road alignment. In some instances, the route corridor may be increased at particular locations or change, typically to accommodate engineering needs, environmental assessments or to address feedback provided through the consultation processes.
Can a route corridor change?
Feedback obtained from the public consultation as well as ongoing surveys and environmental / engineering assessments will be considered by the Project Team and, if appropriate, route corridors may be adjusted. Route corridors are typically shown 200m in width to allow for adjustments to route options as described above. The adjustments to the route alignment options will generally occur within the route corridor but in some instances the route corridor may need to be increased. Combinations of different sections of route corridor options may also be examined if it is thought that such combinations of sections could result in a better overall scheme.
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What criteria are used to reduce the number of initial feasible route options to the shortlisted route corridor options?
The initial feasible route options will go on public display during the first period of non-statutory public consultation. Feedback and comments received through the public consultation will be considered by the Project Team. These initial feasible route options will then be assessed under Stage 1 of the TII Option Selection process. The assessment criteria will be ‘Engineering’, ‘Environment’ & ‘Economy’.
Has a traffic assessment been completed?
Initial traffic data collection took place in December 2019. This information will be analysed and used to develop a traffic model which will inform the route selection phase.
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How are the shortlisted route corridor options assessed to identify the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor?
After the initial feasible route options are assessed under Stage 1 of the TII Option Selection process, the shortlisted route corridor options progressing to the next stage will go on public display during the second period of non-statutory public consultation. Feedback and comments received through the public consultation will be considered by the Project Team. The remaining route corridor options will then be assessed under Stage 2 of the TII Option Selection process. The assessment criteria will be ‘Economy’, ‘Safety’, ‘Environment’, ‘Accessibility and Social Inclusion’, ‘Integration’ and ‘Physical Activity’.
The emerging preferred route corridor is the corridor which is likely to be the Preferred Route, based on TII’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 Option Selection assessments. During Stage 3 of the Option Selection Process a third period of non-statutory public consultation takes place and the public can make submissions or comment on the emerging preferred route.
Will the schemes involve demolition of property?
Given that the N2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross scheme will be roughly 5.5 kilometres in length, it is possible that some residential property will be affected, and it is possible that a proportion may need to be purchased to facilitate the scheme.
Each property is considered a constraint and in so far as possible, the scheme will seek to avoid and / or minimise impacts. If property acquisition is required to facilitate the scheme, affected property owners will be consulted directly by the Project Team.
How will land be acquired? Will I be compensated?
Given the scale of the project, it is likely that all lands required for the schemes will be acquired by a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). Should any part of a person’s private land / property holding be included in the CPO, the land/property owner is entitled to compensation. This may also be the case for a person who may have an interest in any land/ property identified in the CPO. Compensation will be provided in accordance with CPO legislation.
Will this project affect the planning application process in the area?
New planning applications within the study area or route corridors may have an impact on the delivery or cost of a future road scheme. Planning applications and new developments may still be granted within the study area/route corridors, however as some planning applications may affect the scheme all relevant planning applications will be reviewed by the design team. Each application will be considered on a case by case basis and a considered engineering opinion will be formed in relation to the potential impact of the application on the scheme. In some cases, the design team may recommend an application is premature subject to the preferred route corridor being determined.
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What is the relevance of input from members of the public?
The Project Team will consider inputs from members of the public, such as submissions received through the public consultation processes, or identification of local issues. This will contribute to the development of the route selection process and scheme design.