WORK ON TOWN PARK AND ESMONDE STREET IS HALTED BY CRISIS
TECH PARK, TRINITY WHARF AND MIN RYAN PARK AMONG THOSE FACING DELAYS
PREDICTABLY, a lot of Wexford County Council’s major projects have ground to a halt following the outbreak of Covid-19. While we face an uncertain future when the situation is finally resolved and restrictions are lifted, several high profile projects around the county have been delayed temporarily at least, until we get to that point.
On the Chief Executive’s report circulated to council members last week, the impact of Covid-19 was instantly visible when it came to special projects, as a significant amount of them bore a line highlighted in yellow stating that work had been delayed or postponed.
Although virtually completed, an official opening of the €4.6 million Min Ryan Park in Wexford town, which had been due to take place on April 11, has been postponed indefinitely after the site was officially closed on March 30. Works on a skate-park on the same site were due to commence in June, however, this is now also up in the air given the situation. Similarly, works at Crescent Quay in Wexford are all but complete and have been for some time, however, the council says that the final snagging works have now been put on hold until further notice.
Wexford County Council was awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála on the €28 million Trinity Wharf Project, this decision has now been delayed in line with recent government directions in relation to planning matters.
In Enniscorthy, while works are now substantially complete on Phase 1 of the Technology Park at Killagoley, snagging works were still to be completed. Again, due to Covid-19, this work has been postponed until further notice.
In Gorey, planned public realm improvement works at Esmonde Street are also facing a significant delay. Initial design work commenced back in February and a part 8 planning consent was expected to be advertised in June or July with works to be completed in November or December of this year. However, in accordance with government direction, the on-site surveys and investigations planned for this month have now been delayed.
Work on Gorey Town Park has also ground to a halt after the site was one of those closed on March 30. Works were due to be completed in June when new playground equipment was also to be installed. However, this is another of the things now on hold until after the crisis.
With work having commenced on phase one of the Carrigfoyle Activity Centre in
Barntown - the access road, car park, trails and services - and plans were afoot to complete the first phase by Q3 of 2020, the site was another of those shut down on March 30 in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.
Work on the new Kilmore Quay Link Road was due to get under way, having obtained part 8 planning approval back in February, but the Chief Executive has now stated that ‘it is planned to commence site works after Covid-19 emergency restrictions are lifted’.
While the tone of the Chief Executive’s Report in relation to Wexford’s major projects is optimistic, Wexford County Council could be hit with up to €8 million in losses as a result of Covid-19. With over €200 million in spending planned for the coming decade, perhaps there will be a little anxiety regarding the progress of some of these projects when the dust settles on Covid-19.