KCC defend timing of Tralee work
KERRY County Council has defended plans to replace water mains on The Mall and Bridge Street in Tralee before Christmas.
The timing of the works has been strongly criticised by Tralee Chamber Alliance (TCA) who said the work would cause severe disruption to its members during what is the busiest shopping period of the year.
“The decision by Kerry County Council and Irish Water to dig-up Tralee town centre for six weeks in the run-up to the busiest time of the year for retailers is bizarre,” said TCA CEO Kieran Ruttledge.
TCA met with council staff on Monday to discuss members’ concerns. KCC have pledged that there will be no road closures during the works; that no work will take place on Saturdays; and that pedestrian access will be maintained as best as possible.
Work was due to begin today, Wednesday, and continue – in three phases – until November 25. Taxi bays will be affected at various periods and they will be moved when required. There will also be three to four hour water outages in the area on three Sunday mornings during the project.
A council spokesman said that attempting to carry out the mains work at the same time as the redevelopment of the area – which is due to commence early in the new year – would not have been viable.
“There were discussions between Irish Water and Kerry County Council about doing this work simultaneously alongside the wider enhancement works but this proved unviable for logistical reasons and it was decided that it was best to proceed with the water mains replacement at this stage.”