Environmental Impact Study

Envirocon Ltd. carried out an assessment of the likely significant impacts on air quality in the vicinity of the proposed road. Baseline air quality (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM10) and benzene) was measured along the proposed route at eight locations. The results of these measurements indicate that no exceedance of the National Air Quality Standards (NAQS) at locations downwind of the LSRR Phase II scheme for both 2008 and 2028 traffic projections is predicted. Predicted ground level concentrations at the nearest houses to the scheme are well below the limit values for NO2, PM10, CO and Benzene. Apart from NO2, the predicted maximum levels for both the years 2008 and 2028 are close to the analytical detection level of air monitoring equipment used in ambient air quality surveys. In the case of CO and benzene predicted levels are comparable to existing background levels in the area. Since NO2 is the main pollutant associated with vehicle exhausts, levels are expected to increase close to the new road. However, the maximum predicted concentrations are still well below the future NAQS and beyond 200 metres downwind they are likely to be comparable to existing levels experienced near the route of the road scheme. The results indicate that the predicted change in ambient levels from traffic travelling along the LSRR Phase II will not have an adverse impact on the local environment or on community health.

Along most of the route, the potential air quality impact at nearby housing will be low due to the separation distances between housing and the route corridor. Exceptions to this south of the River Shannon are Ballykeeffe Boreen, St. Nessan's Road and Greenfields Road where housing is within 100m of construction. North of the river along the section from the northern tunnel portal
to the N18 Interchange, with the exception of one dwelling near Cratloe Creek, houses are over 200m from proposed haul routes. There are also a few houses approximately 50m from the Clonmacken Roundabout at the eastern end of the Clonmacken Link and within 100m at the western end of the link. In these cases, specific measures will be put in place to control dust and PM10 emissions. With the implementation of these measures there will be a slight to moderate temporary impact on local air quality while heavy plant construction work is taking place in the vicinity of this housing.