Gridlock on the N11
OYLEGATE WORKS ARE DUE TO CONTINUE UNTIL DECEMBER 8
MOTORISTS travelling the N11 between Enniscorthy and Wexford have been at their wits end of late as road resurfacing works are causing major tailbacks at Oylegate.
The works got under way on November 2 and are due to continue up until December 8 much to the frustration of motorists as well as local business owners who have been counting the cost while work is ongoing.
Businesses have experienced a sharp drop off in custom, with local customers unwilling to brave the traffic and passing trade all but decimated by the stop go system. Neil Garry of Garry’s Topline Service Station said it had been a difficult week.
‘It certainly is effecting business,’ he said. ‘It’s having a massive impact. In fairness, I understand that the work has to be done and the lads carrying out the work are doing everything they can to accommodate us and not cut us off, but human nature is that people are not going to leave a stopgo system and then try to re-enter traffic.’
Local councillor and publican Willie Kavanagh of The Slaney Inn, said that the situation was unfortunate, but necessary.
‘People don’t realise that these resurfacing works are urgent,’ he said. ‘This is a national road and parts of it were getting dangerous, particularly for lorries. People might say it’s not, but this work is absolutely essential. Also the road at the Wexford side of the village was prone to a bit of flooding. They’re doing the drainage there and these works will sort that as well.’
Cllr Kavanagh said that tailbacks were at their peak in the first few days, some motorists reporting waits of over 20 minutes, but things have improved since people have become aware of the works and found alternative routes. Works are due to be reduced for the coming week
‘I’d be inclined to think that the local shop and the filling station would be badly effected,’ said Cllr Kavanagh. ‘But these things happen with roadworks. The work is going well and I’d be hopeful that they’ll finish before December 8.’