WATERFORD BYPASS |
NRA rejected residents request for upgrade |
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Sir, - In your report on the Kilmeaden section of the proposed
Waterford City bypass (February 22nd) your correspondent devoted half
a page to the impact the route of the motorway would have on Mount
Congreve Estate and Gardens.
This part of Co Waterford, lying to the immediate west of Waterford city, is a beautiful rural area comprising rolling landscape of farmland, woodland and small clusters of housing. Archaeological surveys have classified it as typical Bronze Age. Routes originally proposed by the National Roads Authority (NRA) in conjunction with Waterford County Council all threatened to devastate this landscape, by running two sections of the city bypass through it. We lobbied for the upgrading of the existing N25 but this was totally ruled out by the NRA. Next we proposed a route based on an old disused railway line. In fairness, Waterford County Council and the National Roads Authority carried out extensive and exhaustive surveys and consultations with all interested parties, including Mount Congreve Estate. A selected compromise route was finally published last year. Waterford County Council in special session fully discussed and unanimously passed this route. The proposed route minimises the impact on as many homes and farms as possible. One farmer will lose his home entirely; other farms are bisected. In the vicinity of Mount Congreve townland, the route will be half a mile away from Mount Congreve House but within 55 yards of three private homes. Our community organisation through ongoing discussion with the Council and the NRA are still trying to reduce its impact on homes and the environment in every way possible. Mount Congreve Estate is not being left to the state. Under two trusts set up in 1979, Mount Congreve House and five acres surrounding it become state property in 2059, 80 years after the trusts' establishment. The gardens, comprising 55 acres, become the property of the state 20 years after the death of the owner, Mr Ambrose Congreve. The remainder of the 700 acres estate will never become state property. The gardens are not even touched by the new route. The route for part of its line runs through agricultural land owned by Mr Ambrose Congreve but most certainly does not bisect it. Mount Congreve House is half a mile away from its closest point and out of its sight. - Yours, etc., PETER GRIFFIN, Chairman, Butlerstown Residents Action Group, Adamstown, Co Waterford.
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