Madam, - Having commuted between Mullingar and Dublin for three years while at college, I understand the need of those who travel between Kells, Navan and Dublin to have safe and easy travel to their jobs. However, as a member of the Save Tara/Skryne Valley Campaign, I believe that the proposed M3 motorway through the area is not the answer.
There are other options. The first is to bypass the most congested towns to cut commuting time. This could be done at a fraction of the cost of this motorway and would avoid the inevitable court battles and delays, such as those over Carrickmines. A second option is to re-establish rail links, with regular trains running between Navan and Dublin. A third option is simply to choose another route for the motorway further away from the historic landscape around the Hill of Tara, thereby preventing the destruction of at least 48 archaeological sites.
I am not against progress; but I am against the wilful destruction of our most precious and sacred landscape by those who appear to be interested only in money. - Yours, etc.,
AILEEN McKERR, Belvedere, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath.