Disappointment as aviation fuel pipeline gets the go ahead

Dublin People 24 Oct 2015
Disappointment as aviation fuel pipeline gets the go ahead

AN Bord Pleanála will be asked to consider the viability of a “potentially dangerous” aviation fuel pipeline through the Northside that has been given the go ahead by local authorities in Fingal and Dublin city. 

There was disappointment that the controversial pipeline, designed to run approximatel, 15km from Dublin Port to Dublin Airport, was given the green light by both councils, considering objections to a similar project had been raised previously.

The proposal by Fingleton White & Co and the Independent Pipeline Co involves an underground kerosene pipeline passing up along the Malahide Road through a densely populated residential region including East Wall, Fairview, Marino, Clontarf, Donnycarney, Artane, Coolock, Darndale, Ayrfield, Clare Hall and Burnell along the R139 and the M1 and up to the airport.

This time last year, Deputy Tommy Broughan (Ind) first raised concerns in Dáil Éireann regarding the project and he subsequently strongly criticised the plans when they were published in April of this year.

“It is a major change of route from the 2001 Fingleton White oil pipeline plan of 11.1km which was to run from the port up East Wall Road, through Ballybough onto Richmond Road and up through Drumcondra and Grace Park Road onto Griffith Avenue and the Swords Road through Whitehall to the Airport,” Deputy Broughan said.

“Both councils have now given the go ahead to this potentially dangerous project.”

The Independent TD has also spoken of the important health and safety considerations and standards that would need to be put in place before any oil pipeline could remotely be considered as it would be the first of its kind in this country.

When Deputy Broughan previously raised concerns in Dáil Éireann he pointed out the lack of any set back distance for pipelines in Irish legislation whereby any major pipeline would have to be a minimum distance away from homes and residential areas.

He also argued that the Dublin Port Tunnel, which was built at a cost of €800 million, already caters for HGVs, including vehicles carrying aviation fuel, between the sea port and the airport.

He claimed that aviation fuel vehicles reportedly make up only 1.5per cent of the overall traffic numbers travelling through the Port Tunnel.

“The 15 conditions attached to the Dublin City Council granting of permission totally ignore the fears of residents who will live a few metres from the kerosene pipeline,” he stated. “No consideration was given to a route through the rural area of central Fingal which could have avoided proximity to people’s homes.

“I remain deeply concerned about the proposal for the new oil pipeline route and the lack of adequate consultation that has taken place to date with the residents potentially affected and their public representatives.”

Independent TD Finian McGrath strongly attacked the decision to grant permission the pipeline.

 “I have huge health and safety concerns about this pipeline being close to schools and residential housing,” said Deputy McGrath. “My job is to act as a watchdog for constituents on huge projects like this.”

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said a decision to grant planning permission was made by the Planning Authority on October 15.

“Any person who has made a submission or observation on the application and has paid the appropriate fee may appeal this decision to An Bord Pleanála, for a period of four weeks from the date of the decision,” the spokesperson said. “As this process is ongoing, it would be premature of us to comment further on the matter.”

Documentation provided by Fingal County Council reveals the length of the pipeline in their administrative area will be circa 3 km and that an Environmental Impact Statement and Natura Impact Statement have been prepared in respect of the application.

The planning permission is also granted with numerous conditions attached.

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