BUSINESS SUFFERS AS KILDORRERY ROADWORKS CAUSE DISRUPTION
As many local businesses continue to complain loudly about the affect that the current road project is having on trade, Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe has called on Cork County Council to expedite work currently being carried out in Kildorrery village. Cllr O’Keeffe expressed his dissatisfaction to The Avondhu regarding the lack of progress in completing works at Main Street, Kildorrery.
He said that Cork County Council should have had more preparatory work done before this project commenced, as they were, “well aware that additional works would have to be carried out and it is these additional works that are now the cause of serious delays which are totally unacceptable, given the huge downturn for businesses in the village. In this current economic climate no business can be exposed to such delays that threaten their viability. I am calling on Cork County Council to expedite the completion of these works,” he concluded.
PASSING TRADE
Many businesses in the area have been seriously affected as they rely heavily on passing trade. Seamus Sheahan owns a pub and grocery in the village and he said that he might as well not be open at the moment.
“I am totally closed off and I look like I am baracaded up. I have no stopping trade and that is what I rely on for business. I am very disappointed that the electricity isn’t going down underground while the road is excavated, it’s a missed opportunity. To be honest, I could head off to Spain for a few weeks and the council should pay me to do that as there is no point in me being here.”
Marshalstown based Michael O’Sullivan Car Sales is another such business that is suffering badly from the road closure.
“For six weeks the road is closed yet we still have to pay rates. Is the council forgetting that there’s a major recession on? If they could have hired a decent outfit rather than the amateurs they have the work would be done by now. It’s a complete joke, fellas sitting reading the papers, it’s ok for them they get their wage packet every Friday. I am dependent on passing traffic for my business,” a very aggrieved Michael O’Sullivan told The Avondhu.
MORE OPTIMISTIC
One business owner however remains slightly more optimistic: Ger O’Sullivan who runs O’Sullivan’s Centra Service Station and Coach Hire in Kildorrery said that he could see more action this week.
“It’s this week there seems to be more progress and they are still talking about April 4 as a finish date. They have been lucky with the weather. It isn’t an ideal situation we are just grinning and bearing it. When they move on our village will be the better for it, ” he told The Avondhu.
A spokesperson for the NRA said, “The target date is Monday, April 4 for both village and overlay works and we are still striving for that date. Although it may appear that work is slow, there are a lot of existing services under the street that have to be re-laid and renewed such as eircom, ESB, storm water, mains water etc. We would envisage having the substantial work completed by April 4.”
Cllr Frank O’Flynn agreed that the work is taking time but added that is because it has to be done properly.
“I do feel for the businesses concerned but it is important that a proper job is done. The local people are delighted that the work is finally happening even though it is slow. We have waited a long time for this so we need to concentrate on the end result, we will have a lovely road through the village.”
Published:
Saturday 19th March 12:04pm
