Council refutes bypass claims by local residents
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL ( WCC) has rebuffed a claim made by residents who live on lands skirting along the route of the New Ross Bypass that they are being treated in a ‘ high handed’ manner.
The claim was made against contractors BAM Iridium ( BAM) and the Council in a letter signed by residents, Mrs P A Stewart, Marko Dew and Sandra Dew.
The letter states: ‘ We have seen massive ... environmental damage committed in front of us.’ It claims that No Construction Traffic signs are ignored. ‘ We ask for details and data and none is forthcoming.
‘ We have asked to see detail of the designs of the road along its length and are told by BAM that it is none of our business. The construction traffic is spreading a film of slippery mud on our roads and there will be an accident before long.’
The letter goes on to claim that some of the service vehicles speed down the country roads ‘ terrorising’ resident road users. It also accuses some of the BAM staff of being obtuse and rude.
‘ The council has taken advantage of the project to massacre some of the most ancient trees in the area, all apparently in order to ease a bend on the way to the so- called Kennedy Homestead so that large coaches can access the place more easily. None of us asked them to do this. Our homes have been blighted by the misguided decision to build this road here.’
They say they are now faced with an inconsiderate contractor and ‘ a council that pays no heed to our concerns.’
WCC spokesperson David Minogue said that the Council refuted in the strongest possible terms these unfair allegations.
‘ We are engaging with the parties in question on the same basis as all other landowners and local residents and strongly refute that such engagements have been in any way inappropriate, inconsiderate or heavy handed. WCC’s full- time Project Liaison Officer continues to engage with local residents, community groups and other stakeholders on any matters concerning the progress of construction. We also note that the PPP company has appointed a public relations officer. We are satisfied that any interactions with residents have been conducted in an appropriate, professional and responsible manner.’
This newspaper contacted BAM on several occasions, but a response was not forthcoming.