Irish Water is blamed as local road compared to ‘surface of the moon'

A LOCAL councillor has compared the R599 road between Dunmanway and Clonakilty to the ‘surface of the moon’. 

At a recent meeting of the Western Committee which was held in Clonakilty, Cllr Paul Hayes of Sinn Fein and several of his Council colleagues called for immediate resurfacing to be carried out on the regional road, which has been put back due to delays in Irish Water carrying out repairs.

‘It’s clear this road has been left behind and is in a very poor condition. Can we cut through the bureaucracy here and if projects aren’t going to happen for a while, then can we re-tar? Some call has to be made on this to get some of the road resurfaced,’ said Cllr Hayes.

Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) said it was scandalous that nothing has changed and there was no resurfacing completed on the road due to delays in projects being carried out by Irish Water.

‘Communication seems to be lost between Irish Water and the local authorities. We have flagged this before and it’s to the detriment of the people of West Cork,’ said Cllr O’Sullivan.

Cllr Noel O’Donovan (FG) said ‘it’s a hazard and dangerous’ and asked could some tarring be undertaken by Ballygurteen as well as getting an update report on the road, which is the main regional road between Dunmanway and Clonakilty.

County engineer David Keane admitted that things have changed since Irish Water has come on board.

‘I will take this issue to the roads department and point out that if they don’t have a date from Irish Water, they should go ahead and proceed with surface work and charge Irish Water for works later carried out,’ said Mr Keane.