SUMMERTIME TRAFFIC BLUES
ROADWORKS AT THE DUFFRY SET TO LAST THREE MONTHS
WHILE TRAFFIC buildups are common place in Enniscorthy, motorists are bracing themselves for things to get much worse as major roadworks get under way this week stretching from The Duffry out to the Milehouse Cross, which are expected to last until October 16.
The long-awaited works will involve the removal of the existing road surface and replacing it with new tarmacadam, along with the laying of a new water main which will be laid from Aldi up to Shingaun. A stop-go system will be in place throughout the duration of the works and there have been growing concerns throughout the town that traffic will come to a complete hault during peak hours, particularly when the schools are back in September.
While some people were quick to question why works couldn’t have gotten under way earlier to completely avoid school traffic altogether, District Manager Liz Hore said that steps have been taken to try and ensure that disruptions will be kept to a minimum.
‘There will obviously be some disruptions,’ she said. ‘But we’ve taken all steps possible to ensure that they are kept to a minimum. It’s for that reason that the work is starting at the Duffry Gate side, as we’re hoping that the works will have moved out of town before school’s start back. Also any works taking place at the crossroads near SuperValu in the Duffry will take place at night in a bid to alleviate any traffic buildups.’
While it is obvious that the road needs to be done, people are concerned the impact it will have on traffic given the fact that schools and busy supermarkets are at either ends of the road.
‘The outcome will be good eventually,’ said Ms Hore. ‘We are conscious that people will have con- cerns about the traffic, but we have to be practical and this work has to be done and we’re trying to minimise disruption as much as we possibly can.’
Chairman of Enniscorthy Municipal District Keith Doyle said that we will get a better idea of the level of disruption once the works get fully under way and that the contractors have vowed to liaise with residents to ensure that the work is as painless as possible.
‘It’s essential to get this done and get it done as quickly as possible,’ he said. ‘We’re going to have to monitor this as the weeks go on and accommodate people as best we can. Things may need to be modified once the schools start back.’
While a number of people were critical of the fact that the works didn’t begin earlier so as to avoid school traffic completely, Cllr Doyle said there was a reason for this and it would save more hardship in the long run.
‘Well Irish Water are laying the new water main at the same time, so we took the decision to marry the two up,’ he said. ‘I refused to let them dig the road up, put it back down and dig it up again for Irish Water to lay pipes. This way it’s all done in the one go and there’ll be less disruption in the long run.’
This latest bout of road resurfacing follows work at Convent road in recent weeks which caused traffic chaos across the town with some motorists complaining of being stuck in traffic for over an hour to get from one side of town to the other.
‘People were complaining about the works on Nunnery Road (Convent Road),’ said Cllr Doyle. ‘But I thought it was absolutely phenomenal to get that work done with only three days of disruption. We’re a victim of our own success in Enniscorthy really. We’re getting these roads done and these jobs done, but then what comes with that success is a bit of disturbance. A lot of work has gone on in Enniscorthy in the past couple of years and I’ll continue to fight for these kind of projects to continue.’
While it’s hoped delays around Bellefield will be kept to a minimum, motorists are advised to leave plenty of time to get through Enniscorthy while the works are ongoing and perhaps take a different route where possible.