Nenagh councillors critical of road closure handling to allow for major new roundabout

The short time frame given to Nenagh traders and the public to respond to the proposed closure of Martyrs Road to facilitate a new roundabout at the entrance to Arrabawn Co-op has been criticised by Cllr Seamus Morris.

The road will close from August 9 to September 15.

Nenagh and District Chamber wrote to Tipperary County Council last week outlining their disappointment at the short time frame. They argued that the notice of closure had been placed in the Nenagh Guardian for the edition dated July 8, 2023, and responses had to be made by lunchtime on July 13, 2023.

“I can see where they are coming from,” Cllr Morris told the July meeting of Nenagh Municipal District Council.

He pointed out that two retailers had been met by the council and local representatives.

“Business people are hanging by their fingernails,” he declared. “They are being screwed by energy companies making huge profits.”

Cllr Morris said that there had been a lack of consultation and if it were not for the initiative of the contractor staff a solution would not have been found.

“We met retailers but what we told them was what was being done, was being done. Was there not a better way to do things?” he asked.

Cllr Morris said that it would be the local representatives who would “get it between the two eyes” from traders and retailers over the closure.

In response, Marcus O’Connor, district manager and Director of Roads for Tipperary County Council, said that the council was not carrying out the closure “for the good of our health”, but it was to facilitate expansion at Arrabawn, a major employer in the town and a major contributor to the local economy.

Mr O’Connor pointed out that changes to how the work would proceed were done through negotiations with the various parties and not through any initiative by the contractor staff.

“The entrance at Arrabawn will tackle a major safety issue with articulated trucks turning up Stafford Street. In the long-term it will be beneficial and we followed all procedures,” he said.

“The Chamber also employs many people in the town,” Cllr Morris responded.

Cllr Ger Darcy said the work was going to have a “huge impact” on businesses along Martyrs Road.

He pointed out that traffic would also be shifted around the town while the work was ongoing.

“Get it done as quickly as humanly possible,” urged Cllr Darcy.

During the closure, alternative routes will be available through Kenyon Street, Pearse Street, and back to MacDonagh Street.