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Call to suspend bypass blasting Bypass rock blasting is suspended
(about 4 hours later)
There have been calls for rock blasting on the A1 Newry bypass to be postponed after debris landed near homes. Rock blasting on the A1 Newry bypass near Cloghogue has been postponed after debris landed near homes.
Chair of Newry and Mourne Council's A1 Liaison Committee, Pat McGinn, said debris also hit the car of a council official in last Wednesday's incident. In an incident last Wednesday rock fragments were cast outside an exclusion zone at the site.
The Department of Regional Development said blasting will not be permitted to resume until remedial action is taken.
Chair of Newry and Mourne Council's A1 Liaison Committee, Pat McGinn, said debris also hit the car of a council official in the incident.
"We do have people on site because there were issues about noise," he said."We do have people on site because there were issues about noise," he said.
He said blasting should stop until a Health and Safety Executive investigation is carried out.
Mr McGinn said initial reports from the contractors were being studied by the council's Environmental Health department.Mr McGinn said initial reports from the contractors were being studied by the council's Environmental Health department.
"Whilst it has been recognised by all, the importance of this major road project and the completion of it is eagerly awaited, we cannot underestimate the concerns of local residents," he said."Whilst it has been recognised by all, the importance of this major road project and the completion of it is eagerly awaited, we cannot underestimate the concerns of local residents," he said.
The Department of Regional Development said that an estimated eight further blasts are needed in the area, but that an end date for the work cannot be confirmed until the authorities are satisfied it is safe for work to resume.
"Roads Service will do everything possible to ensure that work resumes as soon as it is safe and practical to do so," a spokeswoman said.
The £21m scheme on the main road to Dublin will provide 12 km of high standard dual carriageway with hard shoulders and a continuous central safety barrier and open late in 2010.