27 November 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
“While I fought hard for this €14 million investment in the town – and we know you cannot make an omelette without breaking a few eggs – we must be respectful of the residents, and businesses alike, to ensure the works are planned in a way that will result in minimum disruption.” – Junior Minister Jim Daly, Fine Gael TD
File photo of: Jim Daly TD, Minister for Mental Health and Older People. The popular West Cork Fine Gael TD recently announced he will not be running in the next General Election.
Picture: David Keane.
The popular Junior Minister Jim Daly has contacted the CEO of Irish Water and requested that a temporary cessation of works for December, to facilitate the annual Christmas shopping in the town. He has asked that the planned works, as part of the Water Main and Sewer Network scheme, along Connolly Street/the Bypass road, are postponed until the New Year.
The popular Junior Minister explained “businesses in Bandon have been struggling for the duration of these, albeit much needed, works. Adding a road closure to Connolly Street and the Bypass road, on top of the Dunmanway Road closure, is going to significantly add to the already choked traffic at St Finbarr’s Place and St. Patrick’s Quay.”
With the Dunmanway Road closed, vehicles are already being diverted through St Finbarr’s Place, onto St Patrick’s Quay, out the New Road and onto Baxter’s Bridge. The closure of Connolly Street and the Bypass road will leave vehicles coming into Bandon, and travelling west, with no other option than to follow the same route. “While I fought hard for this €14 million investment in the town – and we know you cannot make an omelette without breaking a few eggs – we must be respectful of the residents, and businesses alike, to ensure the works are planned in a way that will result in minimum disruption.”
“When these works began, Ward & Burke advised that there would not be any works carried out in, and around, the town centre during December – to reduce the impact on businesses’ Christmas trade. However, a similar situation occurred last year, and on foot of my representations the works were postponed until the New Year.” The well liked Minister has confirmed that he has made a similar appeal again this year after being contacted by concerned business owners.
“I commend both Irish Water and Ward & Burke for the work carried out, thus far, on this long-awaited scheme for the town. Ward and Burke have a proven track record of high-quality work being delivered on time, and I have every confidence they will meet the needs of the Bandon people during the construction phase of this project, however, I believe it is time for all parties to work with each other to ensure Bandon, and its traders, reach their full potential.”
