ROADWORKS SHOULD NOT AFFECT SHOPPERS
TRADERS INSIST SLIGO IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS IRISH WATER SAYS THANKS FOR PATIENCE
RESTRICTIONS will be put in place to minimise road work disruption to Sligo town centre businesses in the lead up to their most important season of the year, Christmas.
Sligo County Council has agreed the restrictions with Irish Water which is undertaking the Sligo Water Mains and Sewer Rehabilitation Project across the town.
It’s caused lengthy tailbacks at rush hour and reduced the October/November takings for local businesses but an end is in sight: Irish Water says works along Union Street, Stephen Street and Connolly Street will all be finished by the end of the month.
Between now and year end, further pipe laying works will take place along Lower Knox Street, Lower Quay Street, Holborn Hill and Cemetery Road areas.
The Council and Ward & Burke contractor will continue to liaise with An Garda Síochána to implement traffic management plans so as to minimise traffic disruption.
TRADERS around Sligo town are just about “hanging in there” as the Irish Water Roadworks finally start winding up.
Most traders have admitted their October and November takings “are way down” because shoppers are avoiding town due to the Sligo Water Mains and Sewer Rehabilitation project ongoing since September.
They will welcome the news that by agreement with Sligo County Council works restrictions are being put in place to minimise disruption in the lead up to Christmas along some of the core city centre streets.
Irish Water said late yesterday (Monday) that “pipe laying works have been substantially completed along Bridge Street with final road reinstatement works due for completion within the next two to three weeks.”
Pipe laying works along Union Street and Stephen Street are both programmed for completion by mid November and by the end of November on Connolly Street.
Between now and the end of the year further pipe laying works are programmed to be undertaken along Lower Knox Street, Lower Quay Street, Quay Street, Holborn Hill and Cemetery Road areas.
Some traders said not enough breaks were placed along the pedestrian barriers on O’Connell Street - there is only one break between the Post Office end and the traffic lights half way down O’Connell Street.
“They didn’t make it easy for shoppers to get in,” one trader told The Sligo Champion.
Traders in general felt there are two much roadworks being carried out at once around the town.
Hope was expressed however that once O’Connell Street is finally finished and refurbished it will improve footfall and takings within the county’s main street.
While most traders admitted their business had been damaged in the last few months, they accepted the work has to be done for the overall benefit of the town.
Over 65 per cent of the project which will benefit local homes and businesses is complete with all pipe laying works on target for completion by May 2018.
Irish Water, working in partnership with Sligo County Council and Contractors Ward & Burke Ltd, thanked the businesses, residents and shoppers in Sligo City for their “continued patience and co-operation while the project progresses.”
The water main works represent a €6.8 million investment by Irish Water in Sligo.
The company said it “will ensure an improved supply to all customers by reducing leakage and bursts. The project will also deliver financial savings over the medium and long term through reduced maintenance costs associated with the upgraded pipeline.”
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Seamus Kilgannon said the roadworks will “help the capacity of the local water main network, and is hugely significant in terms of our ability to develop the town.”