PLANNING permission for a long-awaited bypass has been approved in a “great day” for road safety.
An Coimisiún Pleanala approved the project for the construction of a 3.5km bypass around Slane in Meath, including a dual carriageway as well as a 258-metre-long bridge over the historic River Boyne.
In its ruling, the planning appeals board said the new infrastructure would significantly reduce traffic hazard risks by lowering the volume of HGVs through Slane village.
The development has been welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Wayne Harding who has long been campaigning for a new route to replace the road which takes about 17,000 vehicles daily and has taken 23 lives over the years.
A previous application was refused 13 years ago amid claims by An Bord Pleanala that it would affect the World Heritage site of Bru na Boinne.
Cllr Wayne Harding said: “The announcement that the Slane bypass has finally received planning permission has been met with great excitement.
“For decades there has been a campaign to get the very dangerous N2 out of Slane village.
“The road through the village has been the scene of countless accidents causing the deaths of 23 people.
“A 2012 decision to refuse the bypass was met with deep anger and frustration.
“But since then, an application has been painstakingly rebuilt by Meath County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
“This decision today is not just on the N2 north/south bypass, but will also see millions of investment in a public realm plan which will completely transform Slane.
“All aspects of village life across all generations are impacted by the road.
“Every child in Slane village must use the road to enter their school, as do the members of the very popular Slane Men’s Shed.
“The campaign has gone on that long that different people from the community picked up the baton to keep the need for the bypass at the forefront of all national decision makers over many years.
“I want to particularly mention John Ryle and Michele Cullen Power today. “
The approved project will also include a village park and interpretive centres.
In its ruling, An Coimisiún Pleanala said it approved the development “generally as recommended by the reporting inspector.”
It said it would pose “a significant traffic hazard risk reduction by the reduction in volume and type (HGVs) of through traffic in Slane village centre.”
It would also have positive impact for reduction in journey time and indirect economic effects, it said.
In a statement, Meath County Council said: “Following receipt of notification from An Coimisiún Pleanála this morning (Tuesday, July 1, 2025), Meath County Council is delighted to announce the approval of the N2 Slane Bypass and Public Realm Enhancement Scheme, and confirmation of the CPO associated with same.”
