‘Worst main street’ gets €2m revamp

The worst main street in the country is finally to get a €2 million makeover.

Following numerous accidents to pedestrians, damage to vehicles and protests it has been confirmed that work will start this year on improving the road surface and footpaths in Buttevant, Co Cork.

A spokesman for the local community council said they had fought for five years for the upgrade.

“This is very welcome news after all the trials, tribulations and meetings after meetings we had with the council and TDs. Over the years the main street surface and footpaths were deteriorating on a daily basis and it was no wonder they were dubbed the worst in Ireland,” the spokesman said.

Last September frustration boiled over and it led to a 500-strong march down its main street, which caused considerable disruption to evening rush-hour traffic on the main Cork-Limerick road.

“We were preparing for another protest gathering which was to have taken place on February 26. This has now been cancelled,” the spokesman added.

The €2m allocation was announced yesterday by the NRA, following the intervention of Transport Minister Leo Varadkar.

Deputy Tom Barry (FG) said the money was very welcome given the extreme demands for funding in light of the recent severe storm conditions.

He said Cork County Council would also have to find some additional funding to complete the project and he’s confident this will be forthcoming.

“One of the conditions of the funding allocation is that 50% of the funds must be drawn down in 2014, so I am confident that the project will be completed by 2015,” Deputy Barry said.