Council maintain wayleave on path
Louth County Council confirmed that 100 year old ‘wayleave rights’ will still enable it to develop a riverwalk along the Ramparts despite the land being up for auction.
Speaking at the November meeting, Cllr. Ruairi O’Murchu asked what the position on the riverwalk was, following a €100,000 grant to develop it as local amenity.
He asked if the sale of land, which runs at the rear of Crossan’s garage, parallel with the Dublin Road, will impact on the development of the project?
Cllr. Maria Doyle noted reports that funding for the project was available, but she said the council ‘ hasn’t had any clarity on where this project came from.’
Cllr. John McGahon asked if the council had applied for funding, and then realise that it didn’t own the land. He asked if it was part of the land which was being advertised for sale privately.
Cllr. Marianne Butler asked if the council were considering buying the land?
Senior engineer Mark Johnson told the meeting that funding options became available for an outdoor amenity such as the river walk. He said the local authority had checked ownership rights on this land. Legal advice confirmed the council had ‘wayleave’ on the land, rights that stretched back around 100 years.
This means that Louth County Council has the right to formally put a walkway on the land.
Mr. Johnston added that it was a currently a dirt track which connects the Dublin Road to the Avenue Road. The meeting heard that there were also plans to install a pedestrian crossing at the end of the riverwalk, where it meets the Avenue Road.
Cllr. John McGahon raised concerns about any legal challenges to the plans for the walkway.
Cllr. Tomas Sharkey said he wanted to ‘congratulate the council on due diligence carried out on this project. He called for a survey of all areas of wayleave.
He added that he ‘ looked forward to seeing this excellent amenity developed.’