Bandon buildings to be demolished within days

A CONTRACTOR is finally due on site by the end of this week to demolish two buildings which collapsed on Oliver Plunkett Street in Bandon before Christmas.

Cork County Council has confirmed the commencement of works by a contractor on the two residential buildings, numbers 2 & 3 Oliver Plunkett St. The collapse saw part of the street closed since December 10^th.

However, they cannot confirm how long the works will take.

‘The duration of the works is dependent on the state of the buildings and the difficulty in determining the duration is that it is not safe to inspect the building,’ said a spokesperson.

The local authority got the go ahead to demolish the two buildings after going to the District Court almost two weeks ago seeking an order under the Local Government Sanitary Services Act 1964 to do the work themselves as the buildings are dangerous.

Statutory notices were served on the owners of the buildings in January to demolish and clear the site, but they failed to carry out the works.

Local traders and residents welcome the works as they said the closure of part of the street has affected footfall in recent months.

Local councillor Gillian Coughlan (FF) said she was looking forward to the re-opening of the street, which will also free up traffic in the town.

‘I have also received confirmation that the planned closure of Connolly Street this week to facilitate drainage works will not now happen until after Oliver Plunkett Street has been re-opened,’ said Cllr Coughlan.

The temporary closure of Connolly Street was due to commence on March 27^th until May 1^st.

Meanwhile, in Clonakilty it has been confirmed by the OPW that Kent Street car park will close from April 29^th to October 31^st for Ward & Burke construction to carry out flood defence works in the centre of the town.