Watermains works in Carrick-on-Suir suspended until January after traders raise concerns

Watermains replacement works in Carrick-on-Suir town centre are being suspended for December to prevent disruption to local businesses during the busy Christmas shopping and party season under an agreement reached last week.

Uisce Éireann agreed to stop the works until January following intense negotiations between the utility, Carrick-on-Suir Business Association, Carrick Municipal District and the town’s two councillors.

The utility is in the process of replacing I.7km of aging watermains in the town centre and had been scheduled to close a section of New Street from the junction with William Street to the junction with Castle Street at night for the first two weeks in December and carry out night works on Main Street for a week from December 15.

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne and fellow Carrick Cllr Kieran Bourke helped broker the deal to temporarily suspend the works. They said COSBA’s members were very concerned about the impact the watermains works would have on their businesses including pubs, restaurants and theatres that make up the town’s night-time economy.

They said December has to be a “no go” for works of this type in Carrick town centre in the future as the Christmas season accounts for 25% of annual turnover for local traders.

The councillors were speaking after Carrick Municipal District’s monthly meeting where Cllr Bourke praised District Administrator Marie Cox for her work in resolving this issue. He said she had been available 24/7 to engage with the councillors and COSBA .

“I have to say you were second to none. We are very lucky to have you as District Administrator and thank you for the hard work you and your staff did last week in solving what was a potential bomb to explode in everyone’s face.

“I think everyone is going to be happy going forward,” the Fianna Fáil councillor added.

Ms Cox acknowledged there were “genuine concerns” among the traders and paid tribute to Uisce Éireann for the great co-operation it gave in dealing with those concerns. “I am glad it has been resolved and the councillors were a great support to us,” she added.

Uisce Éireann is replacing old watermains in the town with new modern pipes to reduce water lost to leaks, improve water pressure, and enhance the overall resilience of the water network serving homes and businesses in the town.

The utility will complete the project in the New Year. The final phase will be the installation of new water mains and connection works primarily along Greystone Street and Main Street along with completing the remaining connections on other streets along the footpaths.