Longford's N4 Axis Centre to get 12 Tesla charging bays

Longford County Council has granted Tesla Motors Ireland permission to install 12 high-power electric vehicle charging bays at the N4 Axis Centre in Aghadegnan just outside Longford Town.

In addition to the parking bays, the proposed development will also include 12 Tesla illuminated charging units, associated signage, 3 Tesla supercharger power cabinets, and 1 substation.

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Located in close proximity to McDonalds near the Red Cow roundabout, the bays will be situated on grounds owned by the Red Cow Management Ltd.

The application was granted after changes to the application were made following initial concerns from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that the size, design, and location of the Tesla totem sign - a large freestanding sign advertising the presence of the charging bays - would “endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard due to its scale and potential to distract drivers on the heavily trafficked national road.”

In a submission lodged by the TII’s Land Use Planning Unit, it considered the proposed development to be “at variance with official policy in relation to control of development on/affecting national roads.”

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They also outlined their concern that if Longford County Council granted permission for such, it could potentially encourage a rapid increase in similar signs being installed along national roads which would “adversely affect the operational efficiency and safety of the national road network.”

It considered the proposed development to be “at variance with official policy in relation to control of development on/affecting national roads.”

A planners report on file confirmed that in response to the TII’s concerns, the proposed totem signage was removed from the project and the layout.

The TII were not alone in taking umbrage with the location.

A submission lodged by Kamada & Associates of Drumgorman, County Leitrim, said they support the development but had “strong concerns” in relation to the location of the 4.5m long Substation and its close proximity to their property, The Garden Centre area/entrance. Explaining the reasoning behind their request that the proposed location be reviewed and relocated, Kamada & Associates wrote that they “could not accept this location due to the size of the substation structure and how it would adversely affect the future business function at this property.”

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In granting the application, the council attached a number of conditions, one of which stipulated that the public road, which runs parallel to the area where the charging bays will be installed, “shall not be adversely affected by the works with regard to pavement, obstructions, road operation, footpaths, verges, drainage or public lighting.”

Another condition stated that in the interests of road safety, proper planning, and sustainable development of the area, all lighting columns and lighting heads should be relocated, installed, managed and maintained in order to ensure that lighting does not adversely impact the national road N4.

Anyone wishing to appeal the decision can do so before October 23.