INTRODUCTION

The National Road Needs Study (NRA July 1998) identifies Enniscorthy Town as requiring a bypass. Subsequently this was incorporated into the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006 as part of the N11 strategic route upgrade between Dublin and Wexford.

In January 2001 Wexford County Council issued Ryan Hanley WSP with a task order for the N11 Enniscorthy Bypass. The brief was to outline a study area, consider feasible route corridors and identify a preferred route that will form the basis of a Compulsory Purchase Order. Wexford County Council and Tramore House Regional Design Office carried out previous consultations in November 1999 for a proposed western bypass of Enniscorthy. To ensure that all feasible corridors were identified and assessed in advance of Statutory Procedures, RHWSP extended the study area of interest for the scheme from that shown in November 1999. This allowed consideration of the feasibility of a possible eastern bypass of Enniscorthy, and options further to the west of the town. The revised study area was put on display from mid February 2001 in Wexford County Council, Enniscorthy Library and Tramore House Regional Design. The display locations and changes to the study area were advertised in the Enniscorthy Echo and Guardian, as well as on local radio.

Two public information days showing the revised study area and route corridors, were held on the 20th April and 10th May 2001 both in Treacys Hotel. A presentation to elected members of Wexford County Council was held on the 19th April in the Riverside Hotel. Over 450 people attended these information days and written submissions were received from approximately 115 people.

CONSTRAINTS STUDY REPORT

The Constraints Study Report for the study area was published in July 2001 and is available from Wexford County Council for a cost of £25.

To help evaluate the scheme, the Constraints Study gathered information on environmental, geotechnical and engineering constraints.

Environmental

Environmental constraints assessed included ecology, landscape and visual, water quality, noise quality, air quality and land use. Archaeological constraints include monuments and places of recorded archaeological/cultural heritage. The baseline assessment was carried out in accordance with the methodology described in the Highways Agency Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Volume 11, Stage 1 and also the Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment 1996.

The following information sources were consulted:

• Draft Enniscorthy and Environs Development Plan 2000;
• County Development Plan;
• Eastern Regional Fisheries Board;
• Wexford County Council;
• Environmental Protection Agency;
• Teagasc;
• Irish Peatland Conservation Council;
• Coillte;
• Bord Na Mona;
• Dœchas The Heritage Service;
• National Heritage Office;
• Wexford Ecological Recorder;
• Birdwatch Ireland;
• Irish Wildlife Trust.

The principal sources used to locate monuments for the archaeological constraints were the Record of Monuments and Places [RMP] (Co. Wexford) produced by Dœchas The Heritage Service and the Draft County Development Plan (Wexford County Council 2000). In addition to the published RMP, the working copies that were used to inform the Archaeological Survey were also consulted. A site walkover was also undertaken to identify the existing and accessible ecological information relating to the study area.

Geological and Geotechnical

The scope of the Geological and Geotechnical Constraints Study includes the following activities:

• Review of available Ordnance Survey mapping for the corridor (1:2500 and 1:10560 scales), historical and current editions;
• Review and interpretation of available aerial photography for the study area;
• The collation, review and interpretation of historical and current geological maps, indicating both quaternary and solid geology, held by the Geological Survey of Ireland;
• The collation, review and interpretation of hydrogeological data, maps and well records held by the Groundwater Section of the Geological Survey of Ireland;
• A general walkover survey to confirm and identify topographical features, historical and current land use, surface water, groundwater, geological and geomorphological features within the study area.

Engineering

Engineering constraints assessed included the following

• Utility companies were contacted with regards to what plant they have within the area;
• The existing drainage system and outfalls were identified. It also sets out constraints that need to be taken into account in the design;
• Existing traffic and accident data;
• A preliminary inspection of the existing structures at the northern and southern limits of the scheme.

The Constraints Report is only one stage in the data collection process, which is ongoing throughout the life of the project. Information gathered or alternatives suggested arising from public information days, meetings with the public and written representations are considered on the grounds of engineering feasibility, existing constraints and economics. Where these are found to be viable and better than that originally proposed they can be taken into account at all stages of the design process up to the juncture where Compulsory Purchase Orders are published. At present the proposals are being further developed. More detailed surveys are being carried out along the four route options presented at the public information days (two to the west and two to the east of Enniscorthy Town). Also the views of the public and affected landowners will be taken into account.

Once the Preferred Route has been identified, it will be put on public display and further comment invited. These comments will be taken into account and the Route Selection Report will be finalised and published. The Preferred Route will form the basis for the publication of a Compulsory Purchase Order, which may lead to the need for an Oral Hearing.

©TRAMORE HOUSE REGIONAL DESIGN OFFICE  2001   TEL: +353 51 390 130   FAX: +353 51 390 699

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