M28 Steering Group refused leave to appeal to Supreme Court

Tuesday, 2 March 2021 12:55

A challenge mounted by a group opposed to the construction of the M28 to Ringaskiddy has been refused leave to appeal to the Supreme Court

The motorway was given the green light by An Bord Pleanála in 2019 however residents in the area, represented by the M28 Steering Group, raised concerns about the impact the planned infrastructure would have on their quality of life due to increased noise and air pollution as well as traffic congestion.

Cork Chamber has always described the motorway as a key infrastructural asset for facilitating safer travel and enabling the Port of Cork’s development, however the M28 Steering Group felt there were matters of human and enviornmental health so they brought their objections to the High Court and Supreme Court

Gerard Harrington Chairman of the M28 Steering group told RedFM News today's Supreme Court decision means they have literally come to the end of the road.

"We got news this morning that the three judge panel of the Supreme Court have rejected our leave to appeal to a full hearing of the Supreme Court, on the matters that we had raised at the High Court.

"We're naturally disappointed, we weren't expecting that. We had an expectation that we would have at least gotten the full hearing, but we have not.

"That's the end of the road unfortunately. The legal process has been fully exhausted, we've taken it as far as we can and we can go no more.

"We have to accept that judgement and move on."

Cork Chamber say the decision has paved the way for the project to move ahead without further delay.

The business organisation have welcomed the decision and say the road will allow an IDA landbank and the Port of Cork to expand to meet post-Brexit demand.

Speaking to RedFM News, Thomas Mc Hugh from Cork Chamber says the road will be transformative for the area:.

"Ringaskiddy really now is on the cusp of a very significant moment in time with Brexit, and the steady and resilient growth of the port in terms of direct connectivity to the US and mainland Europe.

"When we pass through the next Brexit milestone in April, there's huge potential for the Port of Cork to continue to consolidate its place."