I understand a traffic and transportation study for the borough of Sligo and its environs, an environmental impact statement for the proposed Sligo relief road and a related compulsory purchase order will be submitted to me by Sligo Corporation in the near future.
In April 1993, the then Minister concluded that, in the absence of detailed information on alternative alignments, it would be inappropriate to certify the proposals from the corporation which were then before him; the corporation were therefore requested, in co-operation with Sligo County Council, to arrange to have a new traffic study of the borough and its environs carried out.
Any fresh submissions from Sligo Corporation will be dealt with in accordance with the Roads Act, 1993 which provides a single comprehensive procedure for the environmental impact assessment of all road projects likely to have significant effects on the environment. This procedure ensures the fullest public participation in the process. In view of my quasi-judicial role in relation to both EIS and CPO proposals, it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment on the matter at this stage.
