Row over lengthy delay to repair motorway
The NRA closed a mile-long section of the fast lanes northbound and southbound of the M8 motorway near Kilbehenny in October following what it called “drainage problems” on the newly-built highway.
NRA spokesman Sean O’Neill said yesterday these drainage problems would be addressed shortly by the motorway contractor.
Mr O’Neill explained that the drainage and resurfacing work could not be carried out during the winter months as the cold weather would result in newly-spread tar cracking.
However, James O’Sullivan, a director of Cork Business Association, said he could not understand why the repair work had taken so long, especially as the winter had been mild compared to previous years.
Cllr Frank O’Flynn said he was also taken aback to hear the explanation.
“I don’t remember any morning around here where there was very severe frost which would have caused resurfacing problems,” he said. “As far as I’m aware the winter was so mild that salting was only done in this area on two days.”
Mr O’Sullivan, a former district governor of Lions International who regularly travels to Dublin for charity and business meetings, said he was concerned the fast lanes on one of the busiest roads in the state had been closed for such a long time.
“We have a huge amount of salt left in our depots. The winter was very mild. I don’t see this [NRA statement] as a good enough excuse,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“If the Dublin-Belfast road had similar problems it would have been sorted out a lot more quickly, not to mind if it was on the M50. It’s ludicrous and I don’t accept the delay is weather-related,” he added.
Cllr O’Flynn was also critical of the way the traffic cones were put up on the closed fast lanes.
“There are no real advance warning signs on either side of the motorway to show the lanes are closed off,” said Mr O’Flynn. “It’s very dangerous when you are driving towards the cones, especially at either dawn or dusk.”
