Munster Express Online

By Michael Quinn

Virtually all landowners whose property has been acquired for the new, €500m Waterford City Bypass have reached agreement with the City Council and have been paid off, according to Mr. Tom Hartery, Project Liaison Officer for the scheme.

Out of the total of 225 landowners, who have provided the 800 acres for the 15-mile dual carriageway and 4,475m cable stay-bridge, 98 per cent have reached agreement with the local authority.

‘Not one case in the entire scheme went to arbitration because of the goodwill generated by the parties”, revealed Mr. Hartery. ‘The minimum land was acquired for the project and slivers of land left over will be given back to landowners to ensure there will be no illegal camping on road margins. There has been good rapport between the landowners and the scheme”.

Reporting on the progress of the project to the Piltown Area Electoral Committee of Kilkenny Co. Council, Waterford City’s Director of Services Transport and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Pat Power, said, hopefully, there would be a final decision from An Bord Pleanala early in the New Year on the Compulsory Purchase Orders but the issue was not delaying any of the work that was going on apace. Archaeology uncovered on the banks of the Blackwater River at Grannagh recorded the oldest house in Co. Kilkenny dating back 7,000 years as well as ‘Grannagh Pottery’.

The completion date for the earthworks was the end of 2008 and the bridge construction and road base were on target for completion in 2009.

Cllr. Pat Dunphy (FG) said there was a lot of activity in South Kilkenny and he suggested that there should be regular meetings to keep people up to date. He asked if any sections of the road or side roads would be opened before 2010.

Mr. Hartery said it was planned during the course of construction to have meetings on site with councillors in Waterford and Kilkenny as well as the fire services, gardai and the emergency services.

The Committee Chairman, Councillor Dick Dowling (FG) said there was concern by B&B operators in the Newrath area whose property was going to end up in a cul-de-sac due to the work project. These people had been in business for many years and would now find themselves cut off and he asked what steps had been taken regarding signage to protect their businesses.

He also pointed out that footpaths in Mullinabro, Golf Links Road and Newrath had been damaged by heavy machinery and left in a disgraceful state. Remedial work must be done about them before the project was completed in four years time, he insisted. The provision of ramps would also be important for incapacitated people

Mr. Hartery said the question of valuation could delay settlement in some case of land acquisition and unclear title could cause legal issues that would have to be resolved. They met local B&B operators in Newrath to ensure their position did not deteriorate. Footpaths in the area would have to be examined. The links road behind Auto Boland may be opened early. It was estimated that between 80 to 100 full time jobs would be created between maintenance crews and tool bridge operators when the scheme was in operation.

Councillor Cora Long (FF) said it was great to see that a lot of local people were being given employment on the scheme and a lot of ’spin off’ money was going to be made by locals.

In reply, Mr. Power said there were regulations to which the local authority must conform and they would be dealing with individual businesses regarding signage. They were conscious that guest accommodation was part of the local economy and they would be monitoring access to these premises during construction. There was no easy solution to illegal camping and it would be tackled under the Temporary Dwelling Act.

Report by John O’Connor

After years of having no designated rescue boat covering Waterford city’s mile-long waterfront, a group of expert boatmen and sailors have come together to form a professionally run volunteer service. News of the proposed Waterford City River Rescue Service spread by word of mouth through the boating and yachting fraternity and, following a meeting held last week, a panel has been formed of twenty people who are willing to donate their time, experience and expertise to the new service.

A spokesperson for the new service, Mr. Tony O’Halloran, said a group of concerned individuals, unhappy that the city was depending on outside assistance every time there was an emergency in the Suir, had come together to sort the situation out once and for all. Now that the personnel were in place, the main expense would be the provision of a boat and the most suitable craft had been identified as a Humber 5.6 with a 70hp engine. The cost of such a boat, plus the necessary safety equipment, was in excess of €30,000 and fundraising had already started. Mr. O’Halloran said the rescue group was also hoping to secure sponsorship for a van that would be used as a mobile control unit and to carry reserve crew when necessary.

The volunteers believe the need for a rescue craft is so great that they have actually taken a chance and ordered a boat.

However, the craft cannot be put into commission until it is paid for and other matters such as insurance put in place.

Waterford city businessman, Gerry Sheridan, has always had an interest in water safety and, this week, he set the ball rolling with a generous donation towards the cost of the rescue craft. All other donations will be gratefully received and the Chairman of the Waterford City River Rescue Service, Mr. O’Halloran, can be contacted on 086-2666605 while the secretary, Mr. Declan Barry is available on 086-6032181. A special bank account to deal with contributions has been set up at the Lisduggan branch of the Bank of Ireland.