Roadworks planned in Kinnegad could not be done at a worst time, according to local councillor, Denis Leonard, who says they should have been planned to take place after the busy Christmas period.
The Labour councillor was critical of the planning of Irish Water and Westmeath County Council, that may leave only one lane open in the main street of Kinnegad until Friday, 6 December.
Irish Water will work on water supply and drainage systems for the soon to be built Kinnegad Library.
Business owners, according to Cllr Leonard, were annoyed at the lack of consultation and the fact that the roadworks would disrupt business flow into the lead up to Christmas, one of the most important periods of the business year.
Cllr Leonard told Topic that the Irish Water works should have been planned for January 2025, when extra closures are already planned for footpath works in the area.
“There has been delay after delay,” said the Labour councillor. “What the county council are saying is that because Irish Water are only willing to open the road on certain days, they they can only do it during this lead up to Christmas, but the business owners are saying that they should not be penalised for these delays because this is their busiest time. Turning one of the busiest main streets in the country into one-lane traffic for the next three weeks.
“It could not be a worst time for the shopping centre, with a supermarket and a post office. The most ideal response is that they should have all done this in the new year when they are closing it again for four weeks to do the footpath works. It should all be integrated rather than closing this now and then closing it again after Christmas.
“Irish Water are doing works on the road in connection with the library, with the drainage and the water. They are not giving them any lead way of this being done after Christmas. It has to be done now according to Irish Water.”
“ABSOLUTE MESS”
Cllr Leonard criticised the lack of consultation between roadwork planners and local communities and businesses and said that business owners are seeking a meeting with Westmeath County Council to “clarify exactly how long this will last for and that the footpath be opened as a matter of urgency.”
“A letter was put through the door the night before these roadworks started and it was only an informal conversation with a business owner and one of the building workers which alerted us that this road was going to be one-lane.
“Ideally, this should not be happening at all because if it happened in January, it would be far more appropriate than at the moment.
“All of the areas around Kinnegad funnel through Kinnegad to get to the motorway. There is no other way. It is the one main street which takes all the traffic.
“It is going to be an absolute mess and it is Irish Water that is dictating this. Really it should have been done months ago and there would not be this issue leading up to Christmas.”
