The route outlined in a Waterford County Development plan map of a £140 million bypass that is being contested by a group of residents caused further controversy yesterday.
There were queries over the route for the proposed Kilmeaden bypass after a copy of the development plan was produced at an oral hearing. This contained a map showing a different route to the one being considered by the inquiry into the bypass and adopted by Waterford County Council in July.
The map was highlighted at the hearing by legal counsel representing the Butlerstown Residents' Action Group. But the director of Waterford Corporation's consultant engineers said he assumed it was just a case of an incorrect map.
It has emerged that the route indicated in the map is the one originally adopted by Waterford County Council before the local authority's consultants advised that it was unsuitable.
The alternative route drawn up and adopted by the council is being opposed by the Butlerstown residents on the basis that it will have a dramatic environmental impact on their homes.
Mr Michael O'Donnell, counsel for the residents, said there was now a question mark of "insurmountable proportions" in relation to the scheme. He could not see how the council could proceed with a route that was in conflict with its own development plan.
Mr John Murphy, project director for the Waterford second river crossing project and director of consulting engineers E.W. Banck Preece O hEocha, said he was informed last Monday week that an incorrect map was used in the area action plan. The development plan he was referring to was the Kilmeaden - Butlerstown area action plan, which was adopted by Waterford County Council on July 9th and has been incorporated into the Waterford County Development plan.