Concerns over delay to start of fire station
The housing minister has been contacted by New Ross Municipal District over the delay in the sod being turned on the new fire station for New Ross.
The fire station was supposed to be built by this summer but remains on the minister’s desk, waiting to be approved.
Speaking at the municipal council meeting, Cllr Pat Barden sought an update on progress on having the station built.
He said: ‘The contractor is ready to go. The money has been approved but there isn’t any move on it. There has been no hold up in other counties. Their excuse is that a new government has to be formed. Until it is, it can’t be signed off on.’
Cllr Barden said the money wasn’t released in mid-June.
District director Eamonn Hore said he also heard the excuse given about a delay due to the delay in a new government being formed. ‘All we can do is keep asking. We can’t start until we get the money.’
Cllr Anthony Connick asked if the contractor will have to reapply to get the job if a certain amount of time elapses. Mr Hore confirmed that this may be the case ‘if it goes beyond the time allocated’. Cllr Connick said planning issues could also arise.
‘I totally agree with Cllr Barden, we need to push this on,’ he said.
Cllr Michael Sheehan urged Mr McCormack to write to the minister and stress the urgency of the situation to him. ‘This is a vital measure for the town and for the area.’
The three-bay station was designed by CJ Falconer & Co Associates in Waterford. It will have more than a dozen parking spaces and offer a major accommodation upgrade for the area’s 14 firemen who currently work out of their Michael Street premises.
The 7,000 sq ft fire station will cost over €2m and include a fire services tower. It is expected to take six months to build and was due to open in 2020.
Meanwhile Cllr Sheehan said he was contacted by the children’s Bumblance service about the possibility of setting up a premises close to the fire station, asking if this can be considered.