Tipperary County Council and town Chamber clash over road closure to facilitate works

Tipperary County Council has defended its decision to seek a road closure at Martyr’s Road to allow works outside Arrabawn Co-op and the railway station following a complaint over the decision from Nenagh Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber wrote to Tipperary County Council last week outlining its concerns over the closure, which will take place from August 9 to September 15.

However, the Council has told the Chamber that it complied with the required process for a road closure.

“In recent years, we have seen many improvements to our town, and those of us who have worked with the County Council to help bring about some of these changes have been happy to acknowledge the good work and ambition of the Council in their role as drivers of change,” said Denis Finnerty in his letter on behalf of the Chamber.

He stated that the Chamber had always considered themselves as partners in the process of town enhancement and had participated in every way possible to contribute to a vibrant and commercially successful town centre.

“Given that, I must express my disappointment that Nenagh Chamber Of Commerce was not invited to discuss the practical aspects of this road closure with an officer from the County Council. We know that we are in the grip of a cost of living crisis, and that many businesses in our town centre are operating in a fragile trading environment, and that this road closure could threaten sensitive businesses,” said Mr Finnerty.

He asked why the Chamber had not been invited to an “honest discussion” where its views could have been heard and accommodated, and that the Chamber would still like to meet with the Council to find a mechanism to “keep this important artery open during the course of the works”.

He pointed out that the town had experienced the impact of the closure of Martyr’s Road during the water sewerage and gas pipeline project.

“It was dramatic. We do not want, and, indeed, cannot afford a repeat,” said Mr Finnerty.

In its reply, Marcus O’Connor, Director of Services for Roads, acknowledged the support given by Nenagh & District Chamber of Commerce in working with the Council to enhance Nenagh and surrounding areas.

However, he said the Council “regrets the disappointment felt by the Chamber in this instance”.

Mr O’Connor said that the proposed closure would enable the “speedy construction” of a new entrance and roundabout at Arrabawn Creamery; the works facilitate the extension of Arrabawn, a major employer in the town.

He said that the works will also reduce the numbers of HGVs turning up Stafford Street, which, he said, was a long-standing safety issue for pedestrians.

Mr O’Connor also pointed out that Tipperary County Council was required under Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993 to follow a statutory process regarding road closures, and that process had been followed.

An Intention to Close notice was published in the the local newspaper dated July 8, 2023 and submissions were to be received by 12 noon on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Three submissions were received and all submissions were responded to and a meeting was held with one party as well as three elected members, he said.

A Decision to Close notice was published in the local newspaper dated July 22, 2023.

The extent of the closure is from the lower entrance to the train station car park to the roundabout at the train station.

Mr O’Connor said that the following actions will be taken to minimise disruption during the road works:

- The rest of Martyr's Road will remain open and access will always be available to the train station with vehicle access from the Dublin Road and pedestrians can access from Kenyon Street

- Access will be maintained at all times to Abbey Farm Machinery

- The contractor will provide "Business as Usual" signage for businesses in advance of works

- Tipperary County Council will engage again with the contractor to rationalise and review phasing to see if any further efficiencies can be achieved

- Extended working hours will be carried out after 5pm to shorten the programme.

He said that the alternative to the road closure was traffic lights on Kenyon Street at the railway bridge which would have resulted in long delays and prolonging the works.
“Tipperary County Council has worked extensively with the contractor to reduce what originally was a 12-week programme of works down to five weeks to minimise disruption,” he said.

Mr O’Connor said that Tipperary County Council looked forward to maintaining a “positive relationship” with the Chamber and working with the Chamber to further enhance and develop Nenagh town.