By
Northern Ireland’s road authority hasn’t done its “own assessment” of how HGV traffic linked to a gold mine application would affect nearby primary schools or playgroups, an inquiry heard on Tuesday.
The admission by Seamus Logue from Department for Infrastructure Roads followed intense questioning by Commissioner Kenneth Donaghey after “a significant volume of concerns” were raised about child safety, school related traffic conflicts and industrial traffic movement.
Mr Logue said: “With regards to the application and the information provided, we wouldn’t carry out our own assessment.”
It emerged on Monday that the proposed mine in the Sperrin Mountains could attract up to 70 HGVs a day along single lane rural roads during construction. The site is between two schools and near a GAA pitch.
Despite concerns for “public safety”, both DfI and Dalradian said they were satisfied with the assessments that have been done.
But as the Planning Appeals Commission examined concerns around roads within the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the impact on children took centre stage.
Retired rural primary school principal Tom O’Kane told the PAC he had “come to observe” the inquiry, but felt compelled to speak after hearing that schools had not been consulted.
Sean Tracey, from Communities Against Mining, added: “This is our lives, this is our children. There has been no appropriate baseline studies done on school safety [and] child safety.”
He questioned how a proposed limit on HGV traffic during school drop off times would be enforceable.
Third party objector Martin Tracey highlighted how the Education Authority, schools and the local football club were not consulted about the HGV traffic.
Bill Donnelly, who lived beside the Cavanacaw gold mine said he “witnessed” his own children “jumping into ditches to avoid HGVs”.
Meanwhile Mid Ulster Sinn Fein councillor, Sean Clarke, said the GFC club he was secretary of for over 40 years was never consulted by the mining company.
The club hosts football, camogie and handball for all ages at its pitch around 1km away from the proposed mine site. It is also due to open a new clubhouse soon.
“I was secretary of that club for over 40 years and I never had any correspondence from Dalradian in relation to this application,” he added.
Niall McAleer, Save Our Sperrins member, told the inquiry: “There is a consensus across the third parties here that this project is totally incompatible with our area.
“218,000 HGV movements with the life of the mine - to think avoiding school drop off will make a difference.
“A child could get knocked down on the way to the shop, to football practice. It’s defending the indefensible. It’s just incompatible with our rural life.”
Pat Haughey questioned why it was third parties that were outlining the risks associated with HGVs on rural roads, meeting school buses and passing primary schools.
“It's up to the applicant to outline the risks - not us,” he said.
“This is disgraceful and DfI roads are sitting there, four people, and they haven't identified any of this,” he said to applause, which was shut down by Commissioner McParland.
Speaking for DfI, Mr Elvin said: “DfI planning’s position is that adequate consultations were carried out.”
Hoy Dorman director, Karl Dorman, who has worked with Dalradian on transport assessments since 2014, said: “The process followed in this application is standard in terms of the approach.”
He said they drove the routes past schools and that shift changes would be managed to reduce road traffic during the morning and evening rush.
When Commissioner Donaghey asked him about HGV interaction with school and other traffic on narrow roads, he said HGV drivers are aware of the risks and that “everybody has a responsibility to look after themselves wherever possible.”
Earlier in the morning, discussions focused on how the state of the roads Dalradian plans to use will be measured, monitored and repaired if damage is caused.
DfI’s Mr Elvin suggested video surveys by the applicant, to be followed up after construction. Dalradian agreed to this during construction, but not throughout the life of the mine.
Retired roads engineer and consultant to the third party objectors, Douglas Hill told the inquiry “DfI Roads needs to take responsibility for the roads” impacted by the proposed project.
This should include professional assessments of their condition by one of the department’s approved contractors and not a video scoping exercise by Dalradian, he added.
“The road service has six companies of independent internationally renowned credible firms of consulting engineers on their minor works framework agreement.
“They have all been vetted and put through a process. Dalradian and their team are not on that select list.”
A section 76 agreement was again suggested, which is a legally binding contract between a developer or landowner and a local planning authority.
Pat Haughey described this as another “material change” to the application before them - DfI did not agree.
He raised the same concern again later in the day in relation to suggestions of a Section 76 order in relation to Dalradian’s “unenforceable” sustainable transport and travel plan.
Lead planner for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Paul McDermott, said: “The plan is long on promises but short on outcomes or guarantees.”
Dalradian said it planned to provide minibuses to transport workers to the site during construction and would encourage car sharing thereafter.
DfI’s Mr Elvin, said he “could see some force in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s concerns” and suggested a Section 76. He also agreed with Mr Haughey’s point about how it would be difficult to enforce the travel plan for mine commuters.
Sightlines at the entrances to Dalradian’s prospecting site on Camcosy Road were also raised as an issue. The prospecting site has been unlawful since planning permission lapsed in 2017.
DfI admitted it would need to be measured after Fermanagh and Omagh District Council also raised concerns.
Discussions became heated at one stage, when Commissioner McParland threatened third party objector Mr Conway that she “would go to the warning” if there was any further disruption as he questioned why he didn't get a chance to speak twice on Tuesday.
Solicitor Mary Brolly said in his defence “we have noticed [the warning] has solely been given solely to third parties…it hasn't been in respect of people being disruptive”.
She added: “At the end of the day, it’s a public inquiry,so people should be given the time to have their voices heard.”
After the close of the hearing, the PAC outlined further changes to the timetable and said it would alert parties to any impacts a legal challenge being taken by Dalradian on Friday would have on next week’s proceedings.