Contractor appointed for road scheme in 'forgotten' area of Cork city 

A contractor has been appointed to begin the long awaited Lehenaghmore and Lehenaghbeg Road scheme, with work due to begin next month.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire told The Echo that GLAS Civil Engineering have been appointed, with works to begin soon and likely to last over a year.

“I understand the contractor will be on the ground from August 5, beginning with preliminary works including setting up of compounds.”

Disgrace

He said that the project was badly needed: “For years, people in Lehenaghmore and Lehenaghbeg have felt forgotten.

“It is a disgrace the situation they have been left in. Countless houses put in, but no infrastructure going in beforehand.

“Residents effectively cut off from the surrounding areas, unable to safely walk to the shop, or cycle to work or school. Unable to safely access local sports amenities, even to walk to the bus stops is dangerous.

“People are effectively stranded, to walk is to take your life in your hands, despite being in an urban area.”

Mr Ó Laoghaire explained that residents have been waiting a long time for these works. “People have seen several missed deadlines and false dawns, and it has been frustrating. The saga has gone on far too long, so I am glad that we are finally at this stage.

Massive

“This will be massive for the area, absolutely crucial for the safety of pedestrians, and cyclists, and motorists, and will open up the area to the surrounding communities, and allow children to walk to see friends and down to the local sports clubs and so on.

“The community has pushed for this, and they deserve credit for bringing it to this point.”

He added that the works will bring their own challenges, encouraging the council to ensure the tendering allows for strong local liaising to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. He has asked for a traffic study and also suggested a WhatsApp group for the locals.