Traders fume at roadworks delay

Traders fume at roadworks delay

24 April 2019

WORK on a major public realm scheme at Irish Street in Downpatrick is to take more than twice as long to complete than originally planned, sparking a furious reaction from traders.

Work on the near £700,000 scheme was due to complete at the end of March but contractors will not now be finished their work until the end of June.

And, to compound traders’ frustration, once contractors move off site, Irish Street will be completely closed to traffic for a short period to allow the main road to be resurfaced. It is understood that it could be early July before this work is completed.

There have been a series of issues associated with the regeneration scheme to provide new paving, street lighting and furniture in Irish Street with the initial start date delayed as Phoenix Gas took longer than expected to complete its work at this part of the town.

Significant issues have now arisen with the foundations for the blast wall which surrounded the former police base, but of major concern is problems with the sewer network. 

A series of frenetic phone calls to politicians and NI Water were made recently after raw sewage flowed out of an old section of piping for over a week.

Businesses say they have been told that major sections of the sewer network need replaced and that contractors recently discovered that one large section of the sewer was completely blocked with concrete and has most probably been like this for decades.

All businesses have reported a downturn in trade since work in Irish Street started and a temporary one-way traffic system was introduced, while there is concern that a number of parking spaces have been lost and that the width of the main street has been substantially narrowed in places.

Calls have been issued for a rates reduction given the impact the work has had on business with traders highlighting that the delay in completing the scheme, ironically designed to help attract more shoppers, is outside their control but has had a significant impact upon them.

Mr Alan Oakes, of Plus 2 Print, said the sewer outside his business collapsed for eight days, with main contractors apologising for what was happening.

“Trade has been poor since the works started on January 7 and with further realistic delays forthcoming, we don’t know what the future might hold,” he said.

“One business in Irish Street has now closed, traffic is at a standstill, deliveries are impossible and collection from businesses is a nightmare while footfall is at zero. The management of the entire streetscape has been disastrous from day one and now more delays are anticipated.”

Mr Oakes said what concerns him most has been the lack of communication provided by Newry, Mourne and Down Council. He also fears that the sewage infrastructure in Irish Street is at breaking point. 

He added: “We are a family-run business with 30 years’ experience in the town and an employer. These past few months been very testing and difficult for all businesses in Irish Street.”

Another trader said that given the loss in trade businesses have experienced, they should be entitled to a rates rebate.

He said: “We all accepted that the street upgrade was needed but the work was supposed to take three months. Now they are saying that it will be the end of June and even into July before it is completed. What is going on?”

“Everyone has taken a hit and, given that fact, we deserve a rates rebate. Business is hard enough without having to put up with this. We were told the work would take three months, but we will be into a seventh month before this over.”

A spokeswoman for the Department of Infrastructure said the Irish Street scheme is a project it is managing on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Department for Communities. 

“This is a full refurbishment of the existing streetscape, with the provision of new street lighting, street furniture and carriageway resurfacing,” she explained.

“Unfortunately the scheme has encountered a significant number of unexpected delays due to utility alterations and difficulties with construction around the old blast wall foundations at the PSNI station.”

The spokeswoman confirmed that in consultation with the contractor carrying out the work, it is now anticipated that further delays are “unfortunately unavoidable at this stage” with the finish date of the main paving works now expected to be June 28. 

She also revealed that a  full road closure will then be required to carry out resurfacing of the carriageway.

The spokeswoman added: “While we appreciate this unavoidable delay has caused concern, please be assured that all measures to expedite works are being taken.”

South Down MLA, Colin McGrath, said it was “disappointing” to learn that the completion of roadworks at Irish Street have been delayed until the end of June. 

“While residents and business owners will want to see the work completed to the highest standard, that this will be at the cost of another two months’ interruption which is disheartening. If the work can be completed ahead of schedule this would be welcomed,” he added.