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Welcome to the Homepage of the Bypass Slane Campaign group.

Slane is a picturesque, heritage village located in Co. Meath in the North-East of Ireland. The village is situated in the Boyne Valley on a steep, hilly aspect on the N2 National Primary route – the main road artery from Dublin to Derry in the North of Ireland. The N51 also bisects the village, filtering traffic between the provincial towns of Navan and Drogheda. The N2 through Slane has long been recognised as a sub-standard route; 11,000 vehicles travel through the village on a daily basis, approximately 2,000 of these are Heavy Goods Vehicles. Traffic heading in a southerly direction must negotiate a steep descent into the village and cross a 14th century bridge at a sharp, ninety degree angle. The current road configuration is unfit for purpose and has resulted in 23 fatalities on the roads in Slane over the last 40 years. The village environment is substantially comprised by the air and noise pollution as a result of the large volume of traffic travelling through it. Traffic congestion is a regular occurence and the road through Slane is a source of danger for residents and the travelling public.

Slane boasts many historical and cultural ammenities such as the Hill of Slane – where St. Patrick lit the Paschal fire, the Francis Ledwidge Museum, the Georgian Houses which form an octagon at the centre of the village, the Mill House, Slane Castle and Whiskey Distillery, Slane bridge itself and the Boyne Canal walk. It has a vibrant community with many voluntary initiatives undertaken in the village.

However, Slane will never realise its full potential until the heavy traffic is removed once and for all. A bypass of Slane has long been an objective of Meath County Council, with a proposed route due to be announced and a planning application for a new road expected in 2021. 

Heavy Goods Vehicles cross Slane Bridge. Since a Fatal Accident in 2001, HGV and Car Traffic have been Filtered Separately on the Northern Side of the River
Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) cross Slane Bridge. Since a fatal accident in 2001, HGV and car traffic have been filtered separately on the Northern side of the river
Traffic Enters Slane from the Southern (Dublin) Side of the River
Traffic enters Slane from the Southern (Dublin) side of the river
Traffic Congestion in Slane village. Traffic queues on the N51, Navan Road
Traffic Gantries Blight the Village Landscape. Installed on the Mill Hill following Several Fatalities, they Segregate HGV and Domestic Car Traffic
Traffic gantries blight the village landscape. Installed on Mill Hill as a result of several fatalities at this location, they segregate HGV and domestic traffic