FRUSTRATED motorists in Bandon have been experiencing delays of up to 40 minutes in the town, due to the ongoing works being carried to upgrade the town’s water mains and sewer network.
Cllr Sean O’Donovan (FF) has described on a recent Wednesday as ‘a shambles’ as temporary traffic lights on the main bridge led to long delays across the town.
‘It was taking people over 40 minutes to get from Cork Road across to the other side of the town and I received numerous complaints from both residents and business owners about the delays,’ said Cllr O’Donovan.
‘I was talking to one businessman and he said compared to the previous week he was down 40% in takings as people didn’t bother coming across town.’
He said another issue that arose was overnight drilling that took place on McSwiney’s Quay with no notification given to residents. ‘The residents weren’t even told about it and when I contacted Irish Water they eventually sent out letters to the residents. The whole traffic management plan, and not just these incidents, has been shoddy and a shambles really.’
He said road closure signs went up only after the road was closed.
Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) said it was a case of ‘déjà vu’ all over again and that the contractors just ‘don’t seem to get it’.
‘People need forewarning and it’s tiresome now and Bandon people are fed up. This is impacting on business and the quality of life in the town,’ said Cllr Coughlan.
Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) said that people are sick to the back teeth of this in Bandon and he called for the gardaí to be brought in to direct traffic in the town.
Cllr Marie O’Sullivan (FG) pointed out that as travel restrictions are lifted more people will be travelling through the town and the situation could get worse.
Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) asked if it was time for the Council to request an urgent meeting with the contractors.
However, senior executive officer Mac Dara O’ h-Icí pointed out that it is Irish Water who are employing the contractors and not Cork County Council.
He suggested writing directly to Irish Water.
