Time was that when people voiced concerns about motorways, it was about the lack of them. Rows about potholes were commonplace, not just in the west but also in the northeast and in those townlands close to the border. Now, however, to oppose construction and to be labelled "anti-progress" is not necessarily a political slur - particularly in a city which appears to be devouring the rich and sensitive hinterland which once sustained it.
That city is Galway, and plans by the National Road Authority (NRA) and the local councils to build a fifth bridge over the Corrib as part of an outer city by-pass have aroused considerable opposition among some of the borough's most established communities. Hands Across the Corrib, as the alliance drawn from both banks of the river is known, questions the need for the route. It also says that it runs counter to the Government's National Development Plan (NDP), and the aims of the national spatial strategy - still under preparation.
Maps have already been prepared as part of the consultation for the project, which is just one piece of a jigsaw involving links to a proposed new Galway-Dublin motorway. An "emerging preferred route" which would link the N59 Galway-Clifden road and the R336 Galway-Spiddal road to the west of Galway city with a "modern, high standard" route has been drawn up.
"The development of the Western Approach R336 Link road would have significant benefits for Galway city and its environs by reducing journey times, reducing accidents, reducing traffic congestion and improving the environment for communities living along the R336 from New Village into Galway City," the brochure, prepared by the NRA, with consultants Ryan Hanley WSP Ltd and Galway Corporation and County Council, states. It would also "enhance the economic competitiveness of, and accessibility to, south Connemara".
Initially, it looked as if Menlo village, a Gaeltacht community on the east of the river, would be the first casualty. Menlo's geological and botanical composition is similar to that of the Burren in Clare, and its banks and wetlands running down to the 17th-century castle are home to many threatened species of plants and animals. However, the consultants say the proposed route will now skirt the south side of the village, affecting only one property. Hands Across the Corrib says this is just "mincing words", as it will still run between the graveyard and Menlo castle.
The group recently joined forces with the Galway Environmental Alliance (GEA) - itself an umbrella body - and has stepped up its campaign by appealing to members of the European Parliament. In an 18-page document, it highlights the "important national and international implications" of a project which, it says, does not accord with the National Development Plan's aims of balanced regional development.
"Even on a cursory review of this hugely expensive motorway-style road project, its economic and infrastructural value seems highly questionable," the groups argue. They believe it will have "minimal" or even "negative" impacts on the traffic "problems" of Galway, apart from the advantage to a small volume of "through traffic" moving between the south Connemara Atlantic coast and the north and east of the city.
The project could have "devastating" and "probably uncontrollable" environmental and social impacts, the groups state. It could cut through communities, including Menlo with its walks and woodlands, and would also carve up a large tract of blanket bog, hill and lakeland stretching roughly from Toin na Brucai to Na Forbacha (Furbo), almost all of which is listed as an Area of High Scenic Amenity.
Large numbers of Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) lie within, along and close to the proposed corridor, protecting archaeological, historical and natural features and rare species of flora and fauna. For instance, Alder Buckthorn , Shrubby Cinquefoil (Vicia orobus) can be found on the limestone pavement in Menlo and Ballindooley.
"Gutted villages and degraded natural/traditional amenities replaced by motorways, dense high speed traffic and square miles of commercial and residential development are not what tourists come to Ireland to see," the submission states. "They have had far too much of that kind of `progress' in their own countries and want to get well away from it."
The fact that no assessment of the environmental cost of the project was initiated at the outset speaks volumes, its opponents say. A table summarising environmental, economic and engineering assessments of three possible routes is included in the latest brochure, and the emerging preferred route has the lowest ranking in terms of all three conditions.
A timetable drawn up by the consultants presents it as almost a fait accompli: completion date would be autumn 2005. Following public responses, a full environmental impact statement (EIS) will have to be carried out, followed by road closure orders and compulsory purchase orders (CPOs). The EIS and CPO will be submitted to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, and "if written objections are made to the Minister", it says, an inspector will be appointed and a public inquiry held.
Hands Across the Corrib is critical of the level of "consultation". It says that no direct or formal contact has been made by the authorities with the homeowners or landowners who will be affected - and some landowners will have difficulty in reaching their homes and fields. Many local councillors appear to have "washed their hands of it", according to Jacqui O'Dowd, spokeswoman for the group. Some have stated that the final decision lies with the NRA, while the Labour Party is supportive of the opponents' concerns.
`The most worrying aspect of this is that we already have a very expensive consultants' report, prepared for the local authorities, on the transport alternatives," says O'Dowd.
The 1999 Galway Transportation and Planning Study identified as options: effective and frequent public transport; multiple "park and ride" facilities on the city's outskirts; light rail connections between the city and main commuter centres such as Tuam and Loughrea; improvements of existing major roads, junctions and bridges; effective city traffic management at peak times; and the extension to Barna village of the existing Western Distributor road, currently terminating at Knocknacarra.
Hands Across the Corrib and the GEA have identified a shortlist of simple solutions, including provision of more bicycle parks; public bus services; park and ride services; mini-roundabouts at more locations; safer footpaths; timing of traffic lights; use of existing railway lines and introduction of light rail or monorail. If the local authorities were serious about traffic management, they would press ahead with these initiatives, they say.
The alternative could be akin to "cutting a motorway through Killarney National Park". But perhaps transport is not the only agenda. Galway Chamber of Commerce has predicted the city's population will more than double in 10 years' time, to 150,000 people. This is way beyond the projected growth - to 70,000 by the year 2016 - identified in the City Plan.
These people will need somewhere to live - and building new roads through virgin territory opens it up for housing development. A city which has lost its Claddagh to property developers, and has passed up one of the most scenic areas in its inner bay for a sewage treatment plan, may be about to lose another chunk of its shrinking natural environment.
Public meetings to highlight awareness and press for alternatives have been organised by the alliance - the first is in the Westwood Hotel on November 15th.