CPO fears turn pensioner into ‘nervous wreck’

A disabled pensioner said he has turned into a “nervous wreck” amid fears his house will be renderd unhabitable by the proposed €12 million Shannon Bridge Crossing linking Ballina and Killaloe.
John Young, who lives at the junction of the Ballina to Birdhill and Nenagh road has expressed fears he will be forced to leave his house if local authorities proceed to compulsorily purchase large portions of his front and back gardens to facilitate the new Killaloe Bridge and upgrading of associated regional roads.
The 74-year-old, whose mobility is severely restricted following a recent operation, requires a walker or wheelchair to move around his bungalow, which he acquired about 18 years ago.
Mr Young is extremely concerned he will not be able to access his own house if all the land, which is subject to a CPO, is taken for the new road network.
He has asked Clare County Council for precise drawings outlining the exact amount of land that will be taken from his garden but hasn’t received this information to date.
“A lot more land seems to be taken compared to what was the case when the plans were initially proposed. The amount of land being taken from me is crazy. I will be left with nothing. It doesn’t make sense. It is all very worrying.
“No one calls to your door from the council to see how you feel about it or what they can do to help you. I believe the route selection was wrong and it should have been built farther away out near Fortwilliam.
“Up to now, we never thought it would happen. It became a real problem following the publication of the CPO and now we are concerned about our future.
“I believe I have been backed into a corner and I don’t believe there have been proper negotiations between the council and affected residents,” he said.
During the construction stage, he wonders will he be rehoused and believes it will be virtually impossible to live in his home with all the noise, traffic and general nuisance once the bridge and associated roads are built.
While he doesn’t want to move out of his home, he feels he may be left with no option. He would like to know the exact position of the front perimeter of the property, how much property he will lose to the bridge and the roundabout on the R496 and R494.
He is concerned about what will happen to the old well, will his hedge be removed? will there be a perimeter wall and what will protect him from noise, lights and vibration? He wonders how long will the whole project will take to complete.
His son, Joe, is very concerned about the ability of his father to cope once the new bridge is built.
Acknowledging that a new bridge is badly needed, Joe points out that the individual needs and impact on those worst affected needs to be taken into account. He can’t understand why the bridge is coming straight across the river into a residential area and thought houses would take priority over a road.
His wife, Elizabeth, is extremely worried about how John will be able to cope if large parts of their curtilage is taken.
His neighbour, Maureen Ryan, says the CPO process is causing huge concern because people don’t know what exactly is going to happen.
Ms Ryan, who intends lodging a submission to An Bord Pleanála, is also very worried about whether she will be able to remain in her house once the new bridge is built.
She never expected a river crossing would be built so close to her house and warned the whole locality will be very badly affected.
Former Clare County Councillor, Tony O’Brien said the local community looked forward to significant progress on the project to alleviate traffic congestion on approach roads to the existing bridge.
Transportation administrative officer, Barry Keating said it is important the views and concerns of all landowners in relation to the proposed road scheme are submitted in writing to An Bord Pleanála in the manner outlined in the correspondence they would have received recently by the specified closing date.
“Each individual landowner and occupier affected by the scheme received a letter and a map and schedule dated Monday, February 6, indicating the portion of their land and property associated with the aforementioned CPO.
“Further correspondence clarifying Clare County Council’s role during the current statutory public consultation process was issued last Tuesday.
“Any submission made to An Bord Pleanála will be very carefully considered – ultimately, it is Clare County Council’s objective to achieve development of a high-quality road scheme in a manner that will address any concerns they may have as effectively as possible,” he said.
He explained it would not be possible for the council or Roughan and O’Donovan, Consulting Engineers, to engage with the public in respect of this project during the course of the presently ongoing formal Public Consultation Process which expires on March 30.  
This is to ensure everyone affected by the project is treated equitably and to protect the integrity of the process.