Rates rebate demanded over roadworks

Angry businesspeople in a north Cork village are demanding a rebate in commercial rates after months of continuous roadworks reduced retail turnover by up to 40%.

To emphasise how quiet things have become, people living in Castletownroche staged an impromptu hurling match on their main street.

One of those who lined out was former Cork senior hurler Jonathan O’Callaghan.

Cork County Council has been undertaking major roadworks on the N72, west of the village, which has resulted in major detours.

A sign in nearby Fermoy states that Castletownroche is open for business but locals say that is far from the truth.

Frank Nash who owns a garage, petrol station, and shop in the village, claimed his trade is down around 40% because there is no passing traffic.

“Only for the local trade, we’d be gone. We need passing trade and we’re not getting it because of the disruption. The village is also suffering from a high level of emigration which isn’t helping things,” Mr Nash said.

Tom Quinlan, who runs the Spinning Wheel bar and restaurant, claimed his lunchtime meals businesses plummeted 80% due to the roadworks.

“It’s hard enough surviving the recession without that,” he said.

Jimmy Power, a butcher, believes his takings are down 40%.

The road between Castletownroche and the adjoining village of Killavullen is closed off.

“It takes people from Killavullen up to 15 minutes extra to get here using back roads which are narrow and desperately dangerous. Instead they’re now doing their shopping in Mallow and we’re worried they won’t come back,” Mr Power said.

He pointed out that businesses had just received rates demands from the council but are seeking a rebate for what they have suffered.

Supermarket proprietor Denis Downing said 90% of the roadworks could have been done while leaving one lane open. He suggested if the council took that option, businesses would not have been hit so bad as passing trade would have continued.

Michael O’Riordan has run the Rockforest Bar for 40 years and says he’s never been so quiet. “The local trade is also disrupted as people won’t travel the back roads,” he said.

The roadworks, which started last October, are being carried out by the county council on behalf of the National Roads Authority.

An NRA spokesman said it was hoped work on realigning the 3.5km stretch of the national secondary road would be completed in early April.

The work is being carried out to improve safety on what was considered a dangerous section.

The spokesman admitted there had been delays, attributing these to bad weather and the multiple culverts under the road.