CPO scheme launched so N52 can be improved

A major compulsory purchase scheme launched last week will see Westmeath County Council buy up significant quantities of land and other property close to the N52 between Killynan (Pratt) and Hiskinstown.

The land is needed for Phase 2 of the N52 Cloghan to Billistown realignment.
Largely the properties that are to be compulsorily acquired are agricultural land but also affected are a number of portions of public and private roads.
However, the list of properties affected also includes the curtilage of some houses, a disused house, and an agricultural shed.
The plots of land involved can in some cases be just a minuscule portion measurable in metres, and the largest individual plot is of 8.148 acres.
Approximately 49 parties are to be affected by the orders.
While details of the lands to be acquired are published in this week’s Westmeath Examiner, owners, lessees and occupiers of the lands are to also receive individual notice.
The acquisition of some of the lands is only to be on a temporary basis, to last while the construction and defects periods are under way.
As part of the process, a number of public and private rights of way will be extinguished.
The proposal has to be confirmed by An Bord Pleanála, and it can only sanction the purchases if there is no live objection in place.
A similar provision applies with regard to the rights of ways.
An Bord Pleanála has the power to hold an oral hearing on the acquisitions if it considers it necessary.
The list publicised shows that lands affected are in Clonlost, Killynan (Pratt), Tevrin, Balrath North, Crosserdree, Reynella, Williamstown (Briscoe), Ballygillin, Williamstown (Rochford), Hiskinstown.
The maps showing the areas affected can be viewed at the Westmeath County Council offices and also at the National Roads Office at Cullionbeg, up to April 18.

Works

Phase 2 of the Cloughan and Billistown, Delvin, realignment consists of the construction of a type 1 single carriageway road for a distance of approximately 6km from a tie-in point close to the existing local road L-L6094 in the townland of Killynan (Pratt) to a tie-in point in the townland of Hiskinstown, just southwest of the Ballynacor Bridge.
This standard consists of a 7.3m carriageway with two 2.5m hard-shoulders and two 3.0m grass verges with associated accommodation and fencing works, landscaping works, drainage works and ancillary works.
The proposed development will be mainly offline apart from the tie-in sections at the start and end of the scheme.