EFFORTS by the National Roads Authority to prevent one of the biggest waste companies in Galway from establishing new facilities on the outskirts of the city have failed.

The NRA opposed the development by Barna Waste on the grounds that the access to the proposed storage yard and vehicle maintenance building would be accessed from a road that is governed by a 100 km/h speed limit.

They took the matter to An Bord Pleanala which granted planning permission for the development along the Headford Road but instructed that Barna Waste widen the road at the access point and provide a right hand turning lane.

In principle, the NRA had no objection to the development of a yard for the storage of clean refuse vehicles belonging to Barna Waste or the provision of a maintenance building for the lorries.

Galway County Council granted planning permission for the development in June to Sean Curran of Barna Waste subject to seven conditions being complied with. But this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by the National Roads Authority who had a major problem with access to the facility and particularly as it is governed by a 100 km/h speed limit.

The National Roads Authority say that they have no objection in principle to the development but point out that the provision of a right hand turning lane would necessitate the widening of the national secondary route, the N84.

It was stated by the NRA that the road is a single lane carriageway with no hard shoulders and the road was prone to ongoing settlement that required regulation and reconstruction on a regular basis.

The Board was satisfied that the additional traffic generated by the development would not be excessive and instructed that the road at the access point be widened and a right turning lane be provided.

It was a condition of planning that a bond of €50,000 be lodged to cover the cost of any remedial works at the junction for three years after completion of the development.