Road closures for scheme In Passage West Rejected By Councillors
Writes Leo McMahon
Deep concern about revised proposals from Irish Water that will still involve some 24 hour closures of the main R610 through Passage West for works on the Lower Cork Harbour Main Drainage Scheme was voiced at the monthly meeting of the County Council’s Carrigaline-Ballincollig Municipal District (MD).
The issue was raised by Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) who said that he along with Cllrs Michael Frick Murphy (SF), Marcia D’Alton (Ind) and Mary Rose Desmond (FF) attended a briefing from Irish Water followed by a meeting in the PACE Centre, Passage West earlier in July.
‘The news is still not good. The proposal now is to start at the section from Fr O’Flynn Park towards Toureen first. Irish Water hasn’t finalised plans for the Glenbrook to Lucia Place section yet.
‘The current proposal is to have a road closure commence on August 13th (subject to approval) from the park for approximately three weeks. The work will then go off-road just beyond the Museum (in the Town Hall) for five weeks and back on the road again for approximately five weeks. Within that five weeks, there will be a two week period where traffic will be able to pass with traffic lights. Therefore in total, the period with full closure is six weeks within a work period of 13 weeks,’ he stated.
Cllr McGrath proposed that the MD write to Irish Water expressing dissatisfaction in the strongest possible terms – as voiced already to that body by councillors – because the proposals that came back were not very different to the original one which was totally rejected. In reality, he believed total closure at different times of the R610 would extend for two months which would have a huge impact on residents, businesses and school-goers.
Of particular concern, said Cllr McGrath, was the fact that Irish Water still intended working only five days a week with only one working crew. There would have to be continuous working on a regional road going through the heart of a town because its closure over certain weekends was simply not good enough.
It was unanimously agreed to request Irish Water to again review its proposals.
* Road closure licences had previous been sought in late June sought for: 1) Glenbrook Wharf to Lucia Place from Monday, July 2nd to Friday, August 31st and 2) From the Town Hall, Cork Street to Oysterhaven Boats, Toureen in September and October for 40 work days, following completion of the first section.
This was strongly opposed at the previous meeting of the MD attended by representatives of Irish Water and contractor Ward and Burke in advance of a public information meeting.
It was subsequently dropped by Irish Water along with the holding of the information evening.
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