Limerick City and County Council has made the Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire land and extinguish rights of way necessary to develop the N20 O’Rourke’s Cross Road Improvement Scheme. The orders are about to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála for confirmation. The Part VIII planning for the road scheme was already approved at the Municipal District meeting of Cappamore/Kilmallock.
The proposed scheme is comprised of the construction of a new roundabout controlled junction at O’Rourke’s Cross, the junction of the N20 with the R518. It includes alteration to the present junction layout, the construction of new N20 approaches to the junction, alteration of the existing R518 approaches to the junction, a new combined cycleway/ footway, relocation of the bus stops, road and drainage impact attenuation, fencing, landscaping, public lighting, accommodation works and associated site works.
The existing deficiencies inherent in O’Rourke’s Cross are such that it presents a significant road safety hazard. There is therefore a need for a scheme that will deliver a junction that enables safe turning and crossing movements for all road users, that is consistent with local and national policies and complies with Transport Infrastructure Ireland design standards.
The scheme will provide much improved and safer vehicle linkage between the R518 and the N20 and will provide safer facilities for vulnerable road users and it is hoped to have the proposed road in place as soon as possible, however he stated that there are a number of processes to be completed in the meantime, the first of which is the confirmation of the compulsory purchase order.
Approximately 15 landholdings are impacted by the proposed scheme. Limerick City and County Council will continue discussions with all impacted landholders and householders, and if the compulsory purchase of the land is confirmed, will conclude negotiations as soon as possible.
A copy of the order and the deposit map referred to in it may be inspected online at www.mypoint.limerick.ie.
Documents are also available for inspection at various Council offices including Municipal District Office in Kilmallock. Landowners, lessees and occupiers can make objections to the compulsory acquisition of land and extinguishment of private rights of way that affect them to An Bord Pleanála.
Any objections to the extinguishment of public rights of way can also be made to An Bord Pleanála. The closing date for receipt of objections to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 is 5.30pm on Friday 24 April 2020.
