BANDON’S Market Street re-opened on Monday evening, almost a week ahead of schedule, much to the delight of residents and business owners in the town.

The street had been closed since February 16th to allow for significant works to be undertaken as part of the final piece of the multi-million Bandon TPREP (Transport Public Realm Enhancement Project).

The road closure licence for the works actually expires on Monday March 16th.

The new works on Market Street include a new raised table which includes three granite paved pedestrian crossings at the Chapel Steps, Patricks Quay and the Market Street junction.

A full depth road reconstruction was also undertaken while a new granite footpath and loading bay was installed outside the public library.

A spokesperson for Cork County Council said these works complements the works already undertaken along Market Street.

‘These include new two-metre wide granite footpaths on both sides of the street, new wider car parking bay along the eastern side of the street, new watermains, new storm sewer, new infrastructural ductwork for high-speed broadband connectivity to every property and new ESB Networks infrastructure to ensure future proofing for additional loading requirement along the street.’

They added that the works align with the National Policy Documents including Town Centre First Policy, National Sustainable Mobility Policy, Act Travel Measure and Age Friendly Policy.

‘We have improved mobility and accessibility to the street by improving the footpath widths and slopes.’

Cork County Council also took advantage of the street closure to resurface the road from the public library as far as Church Lane junction.

At a recent meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District councillors were united in their praise of the contractors, Pat O’Driscoll Civil Engineering Ltd who had to work in ‘shocking weather conditions’ throughout the street closure.

Bandon Business Association (BBA) welcomed the opening of the street ahead of schedule and thanked both the contractors and Cork County Council for the works.

Works will now move to St Finbarr’s Place which is expected to take up to six months and will see the installation of raised pedestrian crossings by the Cracked Restaurant as well as at Harte’s Car Park to help improve connectivity for pedestrians.