Motorway inquiry extended to next week

The public inquiry into Dublin's proposed south-eastern motorway, expected to finish yesterday, will continue into next week, the inquiry inspector, Mr L.A. O'Connell, said yesterday. The time is required to consider cross-examination of expert witnesses and the taking of statements from objectors.

Commenting on the duration of the inquiry, Mr O'Connell said the planned road was a large motorway scheme and the inquiry would sit for as long as it took to hear all relevant evidence.

The length, while unusual, was not unprecedented, and he recollected that the M1 roadway inquiry took 20 days to complete.

Questioning the expert witnesses yesterday, a number of individuals criticised the £130 million motorway on grounds of traffic disruption, community severance and environmental issues.

Mr Ian Duckenfield, of Kingston Residents' Association, Ballinteer, said the scheme would result in local traffic rat-running through his estate and he referred to a 1991 environmental impact statement, which he claimed acknowledged the unacceptable burden which would be placed on Kingston residents.

In response, council officials said the closure of the southern end of Kingston Estate was outside the remit of the motorway scheme. Ms Angela Mason, representing Badgerwatch and the Irish Wildlife Trust, was told that underpasses would provide for badgers, which are an endangered species.