N16 shock for Glenfarne as NRA consider other routes
The Leitrim Observer has learned that the National Roads Authority is still considering other options for the proposed new route for the N16 in Glenfarne. The news is a major disappointment to Glenfarne/ Kiltyclogher GAA Club who had purchased new grounds in the belief that the new N16 would go through their existing facilities.
Sean O'Neill from the NRA told the Leitrim Observer yesterday (Tuesday), "The new N16 is in very early stages. Preferred routes have been identified but alternative routes and options are still availalbe. All I can say is that is very early days."
That news came as a shock to the local GAA Club who understood that the new route had been already selected and had purchased a new field in advance of the construction of the new road.
The matter first arose in 2002 when Glenfarne/Kilty GAA Club were looking into developing their existing grounds and were in the process of purchasing five acres. However, in 2005, the NRA decided that the route for the new N16 was to go, according to Cllr Sean McDermott, "straight through our park."
However, negotiations on the compensation level for the GAA grounds stalled because the NRA were only offering the agricultural value of the plot, leading to Cllr McDermott calling on the NRA at last Monday's meeting of Leitrim County Council to meet with Glenfarne/ Kiltyclogher GAA club to resolve the impasse.
Following on from the County Council meeting where the issue of delayed compensation was discussed, the Leitrim Observer contacted the NRA but spokesman Sean O'Neill said that since that time, 2005, other options have been considered. He said that the NRA may consider road alignment or part purchase of lands.
Mr O'Neill also said that no land owners have received compensation yet and that the NRA are hoping to hold public information sessions regarding preferred routes in the coming months.
Reacting to the news, Glenfarne/Kiltclogher Club Secretary Padraig McGourty said, "We would be very disappointed with the news that the NRA may be re-thinking the route. They obviously know that we are undertaking a new development. We have gone and bought a field and there may be no actual need for it now.
"The route had gone through the consultative process and if that is correct, we will be left in an even worse situation. We were resigned to losing the existing field but this would leave us with a major headache."
Cllr Sean McDermott said that the talk of other road options was a "claim for time."
"They know our situation, they halted our proposed development of the park in 2005 and now they have left a community in limbo. The preferred route options were shown to the community and through Glenfarne pitch was the preferred one identified. We couldn't accept that. We borrowed money and purchased a new site for our pitch on the strength of what we were told."
Mr McGourty added that the existing delay already had major implications for the club regarding fundraising and developing their club. "Obviously, our current field needs development if it is continued to be used as a football field but we don't have a timescale.
"We also have a new field which is an asset we can't develop any further and the whole situation puts an awful burden on the club. A mortgage on the new field has to be paid one way or the other and it is hard to attract new people to come into the club and take on positions when they know this debt is there."
Cllr McDermott said it didn't make sense for the NRA to consider alternative options after spending the last few years negotiating with Leitrim Co Co over a price for the field. "It doesn't add up, it is ridiculous and it cannot be tolerated," he commented.
In conclusion St Mary's Club Secretary Padraig McGourty said, "The main feeling is one of frustration. Our plans for development have been put on hold and we need someone to move the situation on. It is serving no-one at the moment, not the Community or the development of the local area."
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
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