Blame put on contractor for Gorey Town Park delays

CLLR Andrew Bolger used the forum of last week’s online county council meeting to vent his frustration at further delays to the Gorey Town Park project.

The Chief Executive’s Report issued to members stated that Niall Barry & Co Ltd had been appointed for the construction and redevelopment works at the park in March 2019. Work commenced on site in May of 2019 ‘and has been impacted by the Covid-19 restrictions in 2020’. The report continued that ‘external works will be completed by February 2021 and the building works in March 2021’.

Further tenders had also been received for playground equipment and installation is to commence following the completion of the main works.

Cllr Bolger noted that public amenities like the park are needed more than ever now as a result of the pandemic.

‘I’m really disappointed that there’s been a further delay to the Gorey Town Park work,’ he said. ‘It’s now pushed out until the end of February. We need to get this over the line. It’s been going on for far too long now. I’d also ask that the playground works be done concurrently.’

Chief Executive Tom Enright said that frustration levels were growing with the contractor.

‘We’ve had difficulties with the contractor and them completing the work in a timely manner,’ he said. ‘This was supposed to be finished in December. We’ve had a number of meetings with the contractor, but for now the site is shut down because of Covid restrictions. We are disappointed with the delays at a time when people need amenities within their 5km radius.’