Crescent Quay works will see Henrietta Street closed for up to six months

ROADWORKS STARTING tomorrow (Wednesday) look set to close Henrietta Street to traffic for up to six months, as part of the major refurbishment plan for Crescent Quay.

Around 20 businesses, situated along that road, are set to be affected by the closure which is to facilitate the resurfacing of the road and paving of the footpath, in addition to works taking place at Crescent Quay.

Affected businesses include: Simon Lambert and Sons, AXA Insurance, World Joud Foods, Prime Dental, John Mullins and Associates Consulting Engineers, Sue Ryder Foundation, Rapid Locksmiths, Zodiak, Wexford Mental Health Association, Citizens Information, Wexford Orthodontics, Aroma Thai Massage, Posh and Beauty, Cenacle Christian Bookshop, Family Carers Ireland, Pauline Murphy Podiatrist and Chiropodist, Cream Cafe, Wexford Sewing Shop, No Frills Hair Salon and Hore’s Stores.

County Council Communications Manager David Minogue said they had given advance notice to the businesses on the street, pointing out that they had carried out letter drops, door-to-door discussion and phone calls to inform them of the works.

He acknowledged that there would be some disruption for these businesses but said the general feedback was that it would be worth it by the end of the project.

He added that the council had erected signs at both end of the road to let people know that it was ‘Business As Usual’ along the street.

Approximately €1 million of EU funding has been secured for the full enhancement project of public realm works.

The project will see a variety of work carried out including: the provision of a bus stop, disabled parking space and access for delivery vehicles; new and enhanced pedestrian crossing points; new seating, planting, street furniture and lighting; under-grounding of existing overhead services and removal of poles; reducing the existing road carriageway width to increase pedestrian space on both sides of the road; and raising the flood wall to enhance protection. The plans for the project went on public display last September.

The closure of Henrietta Street to vehicles will increase the flow of traffic along South Main Street as drivers travelling down Allen Street will have to go as far as Bride Street or King Street before turning back up the town.

With the road at the Bullring already operating a one-way system, it means that the only access routes onto Wexford Quay are via Redmond Square, Lower Rowe Street and Trinity Street.

Mr Minogue remarked: ‘This is not an insignificant development.

‘We’ve closed the road to facilitate the work starting this week. It is a temporary closure. The road, when it reopens, will have been resurfaced with new paving on the footpaths.’