15th May 2003                                      

CUFFE CALLS FOR CARRICKMINES CASTLE COMPROMISE

The Green Party has backed a compromise proposal for the route of the M50 motorway through the Carrickmines Castle Complex in South Dublin.

The Party is calling for the road to be moved further away from the archaeological remains of Carrickmines Castle, which is a National Monument.

“We support the proposal by the Carrickmines Castle Preservation Group”, stated Dún Laoghaire TD Ciarán Cuffe. “We believe that it represents a common sense solution for the site.”

The proposal that the Green Party is backing consists of moving the proposed motorway to the South of its current position, and eliminating the complex junction at Carrickmines. Local traffic could still use the existing roads, which would cross the sunken motorway with minimal disruption.

“Traffic could access the motorway at Cherrywood or Sandyford Industrial Estate. We believe that this would be a reasonable compromise. It safeguards the archaeology and ensures that traffic problems are minimised.

“At this stage Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council has to consider the alternatives to proceeding with their existing plans. Had they considered other options a year ago, we would be well on our way towards seeing a Heritage Park opened at Carrickmines, as well as completing the motorway.

“Of course we want to see the road being completed, but we don’t want the Council to run it through a National Monument. The road can move, but the Castle can’t”.

ENDS

Information

Ciarán Cuffe TD   0872652075

Carrickmines Castle Preservation Group - Vincent Salafia    087 132 3365