Former councillor’s plea to reverse ‘unsightly plastic’ pillars

A LETTER from Greystones resident Eugene Finnegan was presented last week to members of Greystones Municipal District.

‘I am writing to protest at what can only be described as the defacement of Church Road, the main thoroughfare of our town over the past few days,’ he wrote.

‘As a former town councillor, I am very aware of the limited power our public representatives enjoy. That said you do have influence. I am asking you please, to use this influence to stop and hopefully reverse the unsightly plastering of our street-scape with unsightly plastic matchsticks as best describes them.

‘Rathdown Road at St Kevin’s School offers an unsightly mess of ugly green pillars as a welcome to our town and now Church Road has suffered the same fate albeit in a different colour,’ wrote Mr Finnegan. ‘Most of us would welcome well-planned and maintainable enhancement of the public realm. This could not be called an enhancement by any stretch of the imagination. ‘As yet, I make no comment as to the adverse effect it will have on traffic flow, pedestrian safety, congestion and local business - that has yet to be seen. On the other hand, I am not aware of any real study that would support the works that have taken place. What for example was the purpose of the red and white barriers? If the areas they occupy are to be enhanced with planters and shrubbery, then why not wait until the planters and shrubbery are ready? ‘I am personally of the opinion that the municipal district received an over generous amount of funding to enhance Covid-19 protection measures and then went out of its way to spend it,’ he wrote. ‘Going on the amount of social media comment on the subject I believe I am not alone in my opinions.

‘I understand that some notification of works was published recently however I can see no reference to the installation of these plastic pillars. They are ugly and have no place in a town that has any pride in its appearance.

‘So please, can you please put it on your agenda and do whatever possible to halt this vandalism on the town of Greystones, a proud recipient of two international awards and a tidy towns silver award only last year.’