Homeowners given months to vacate their homes so A6 upgrade can proceed
by Caoimhe Hegarty
Home and landowners living between Dungiven and Derry have been given only a matter of months to vacate their properties and find alternative living and working arrangements to make way for the new A6 upgrade.
It is understood that the plans to upgrade the A6 and include a bypass of Dungiven will affect over 200 people.
Nine homes, 13 businesses and 760 acres of farmland are needed to make way for the new road, bringing the total number of people affected to 230 people.
The vesting order to acquire and purchase land for the planned 25.5km section of dualling has been made and comes into effect today- meaning that from today, the Department of |Infrastructure will take ownership of all land and properties required.
It is understood that locals can continue to live and work on farmland until spring next year, when construction work is due to begin on site, but the deadline for people to fully vacate their properties is February, just some five months away.
The Department of Infrastructure has insisted that those affected will be ‘compensated,’ but one local homeowner, whose is set to lose their family home, says she is ‘at a loss’.
“We have been living in this home for over 40 years. To be told that we have to leave it is absolutely heart-breaking. The new upgrade and bypass has been talked about for so long, but I never really expected it come to this,” she said.
“This is our family home and to be told that we have to find alternative accommodation in such a short space of time is really hard to take in. We just can’t believe it,” she said.
Meanwhile, local Sinn Féin councillor, Sean McGlinchey said that while he had ‘every sympathy’ with those affected, losing their property was ‘the unfortunate reality’.
“The people of Dungiven have been waiting for a bypass for over 40 years. It is long overdue and news that work is to begin on site as early as next Spring, must be welcomed.
“While I have every sympathy with these people, who are set to lose their homes, business and land, there is no alternative. These are the unfortunate realities of a project of this scale,” he said.
In a community pamphlet, which was circulated to members of the local community recently, the Department of Infrastructure stated: “Officials are in detailed discussions with affected landowners with regards to compensations for the compulsory acquisition of land and property. Land and Property Services (LPS) are acting on behalf of the Department in relation to negotiation of claims and general valuation advice.”
It is anticipated that the construction works will take up to four years to complete and is expected to cost in the region of £230 to £255 million.