Local authorities to compulsorily purchase lands for new river crossing

TWO local authorities have applied to An Bord Pleanála to compulsorily purchase large tracts of land for a new Shannon River Crossing linking Killaloe and Ballina, which could deliver an estimated €63 million boost to the local economy.
Minister for Public Transport and Commuter Affairs, Alan Kelly, estimates the construction of the bridge, a new Killaloe Bypass and upgrading of the Ballina to Birdhill regional road costing over €40.6m could deliver an overall €63m boost to the local economy between construction and savings on journey times.
Minister Kelly made the claim after Transport Minister Leo Varadkar approved the allocation of €500,000 to Clare County Council, allowing the River Shannon Crossing Project to be brought forward to An Bord Pleanála for consideration recently.
Having spent over a year in limbo, the Statutory Orders by Clare County Council have been approved by Environment Minister Leo Varadkar for the construction of the Killaloe Bypass (€11.93m), the Shannon Bridge Crossing €12m and upgrading works costing €16.6m on the existing regional road linking Ballina and Birdhill.
However, the new river crossing will result in the loss of house curtilage for numerous residents in Killaloe and Ballina; agricultural land for landowners; 0.034 hectares of land at St Anne’s Community College, Clarisford, Killaloe; portions of public roads; forestry and commercial land.
Clare County Council, on its own behalf and on behalf of North Tipperary County Council, has issued an order for the compulsory acquisition of land for the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and upgrading of the R494 Ballina to Birdhill Road. This proposed road development is classed as strategic infrastructure development under the Planning Acts.
If confirmed, the order will allow the local authority to compulsorily buy the land described in the schedule, which is published in its entirety in the Living Section of The Clare Champion.
This will facilitate a major €40.6m road development comprising a Killaloe Bypass, a bridge crossing of the River Shannon and an upgrade of the R494 in the townlands of Ballyvally, Knockclovaun, Creeveroe, Shantraud, Killestry and Moy in Clare and Roolagh, Kilmaglasderry, Garrynatineel, Lackenavea, Knockadromin, Coolnadornory and Gortybrigane in Tipperary, together with link roads, side roads and all ancillary and consequential works associated therewith.
Owners, lessees and occupiers of the land described in the schedule will receive individual written notice.
This order will also allow the authority to extinguish the public rights-of-way described in the schedule after they have acquired the land.
Any objections to the compulsory purchase of land and extinguishment of right-of-way should be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 no later than Friday, March 30.
The council has also prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Natural Impact Statement for the appeals’ board. These can be viewed at Clare County Council’s offices in New Road, Ennis; South East Clare Area Offices; Scariff Area Office, North Tipperary County Council and Newport Area Office between next Wednesday and March 30.
Submissions can be made to the board about the likely effects on the environment of the proposed road development; the likely consequences for proper and sustainable development in the area where it will be situated and the likely significant effects of the road on European sites.
The overall development includes the construction of a Killaloe Bypass of about 2km of Type 2 single carriageway and the building of a new bridge about 170m long with 0.9km of Type 2 single carriageway between the Scariff Road and Ballina to Birdhill Road.
It will involve an upgrade and realignment of about 3.3km of the Ballina to Birdhill Road to a Type 3 single carriageway as well as the provision of cycling and pedestrian facilities along the length of the scheme.
Two new bridges along the Ballina to Birdhill Road will have to be built over the Kilmastulla River and the Limerick to Nenagh Railway Line. Three new roundabout junctions where the scheme intersects existing regional roads as well as the construction of two at grade major/minor priority staggered junctions along the bypass section of the scheme will be needed.
Sections of existing regional and local roads will also be upgraded and realigned.