"Embarrassing" Carrick-on-Shannon roadworks to be completed in March

The sight of contractors tearing up work already completed in Carrick-on-Shannon was brandished “embarrassing” by local councillors this week.

Cllr Paddy Farrell asked Leitrim County Council for a “detailed explanation” of what was going on. He noted the utter frustration of businesspeople and the locals with the delayed public realm works.
He also said that the continued delays and issues surrounding the works is causing concern for the people of Mohill and other towns who hope to benefit from public realm works.
Cllr Farrell noted there were “so many mistakes” in the works completed. He asked the local authority if the contractors had “any experience” in this type of work.

Cllr Farrell said a job “three times bigger in Enniskillen is almost complete in less time.”
He accepted the works will be finished in a few weeks but said it was not fair that the “goalposts keep moving.” He also added that he hope the taxpayer was not footing the extra bill.
He was fully supported by Cllr Sean McGowan and Finola Armstrong McGuire.
Cllr McGuire said she is “one the ground” and gets a lot of negativity about the delays. She said the job is now being finished to a high standard.

She questioned the bollards close to Leitrim road, and said 10-12 of them are already damaged and it looks unsightly. She also pointed out that some disabled parking spots are not well marked out.
Council Engineer Shay O'Connor explained that snag works will be completed and finished in 2-3 weeks.
He admitted “the quality of works were unacceptable” in some places and the contractor agreed to come back at the end and finish them.

He answered that the contractor had completed a number of public realm works before but had admitted that during covid he had difficulty in getting experienced pavers who could work with natural stone.

He said the council acknowledged the frustrations of locals but stated that these snag works are at the expense of the contractor.
In relation to the bollards; Mr O'Connor said they are in place to “protect the pedestrian” and will remain there for some time. He added that disabled parking spaces will not be painted blue, but they will review the current signage.

Leitrim homes to benefit from retro fit grants