Battle Brewing Over Hopewell Twp. Road
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - There is a debate brewing over a Beaver County road.
For decades Veasy Road in Hopewell Township has been open access, but that was recently put to a stop.
"He's put concrete pylons in the road. He's put trees in the road. He's dug ditches in the road and numerous obstacles," Carl Hughes said.
Hughes lives nearby and said that Bob Years is the man who declared the road as being abandoned and blocked it off.
"As far as we know, we've never been given anything official from PennDOT or the township that the road ever changed hands," Hughes said.
Hughes and others said Years' actions have cut off one of two access points to an historic Beaver County cemetery.
"There are a lot of veterans. Civil War veterans and Revolutionary War veterans and there's an unknown solider over there. They still have burials here," Cheryl McFarland said.
Hopewell Township officials said this situation is a battle between PennDOT and the property owners.
However, PennDOT confirmed that the road is not abandoned and blocking any such road is illegal.
Neighbors said they want to resolve the situation peacefully, but they are prepared to bring in lawyers if necessary.
The owner of the road released a statememt through his attorney which read in part:
"I've tried to explain to them that the records show the area is private property, but the infringement/trespass gets progressively worse every year. I've finally gotten to the point where I didn't believe there was anything else I could do to stop them from driving in my front yard but to physically block it off.
"In response to the questions there is still access to the cemetery- and the remaining access is much safer, with better sight distance than my driveway. The cemetery has a turnaround, there is no reason for visitors to drive thru my front yard to get to the cemetery."
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