Roadworks 'damaging business in Summerhill’

Business-owners in Summerhill have hit out at Meath County Council over its lack of communication regarding ongoing roadworks in the village and say their businesses are being severely impacted because of the long-running project. Locals had believed the works on Summerhill's sewerage scheme were complete and were awaiting the final resurfacing of the village's streets but, in recent weeks, the roads have once again been dug up and local business-owners are losing patience. They also say they have not been told why the streets are being dug up again or when the work will be completed. Ann Shaw of Shaw's Pub said the roadworks have been going on for five years in Summerhill. It was thought the works were to be finished in October 2009 but now the streets are being dug up again, just before Christmas. She said their business has more than halved because of the roadworks and that people are avoiding the village because of the delays from temporary traffic lights. She added that the local café had closed down twice. “They are five years doing the sewerage and water. The Trim-Kilcock Road only took a year-and-a-half and we had our business back when it opened, but our business has more than halved with these roadworks. We depend on passing trade,†said Mrs Shaw. “We have no idea how much longer it will take. Once again, it's coming up to Christmas. I asked for an engineer to come out and meet me but they wouldn't,†she added. Geoff Scally, proprieter of Centra, which opened a year ago, said his business was down 22 per cent week-on-week since the works started again. On Monday of last week, works were underway right outside his premises and Mr Scally said his trade was down by 45 per cent that day, resulting in him having to send staff home. When they opened last year, he said the works were supposed to be finished by November but are still going on. “Since the roadworks started again five or six weeks ago, business stopped straight away. On Monday of last week, they were working outside my premises, and my business was down 45 per cent,†he claimed. Mr Scally said he employs 12 staff and had to cut back all their hours and may have to let people go because of the works, something he does not want to do. He said he had sent several emails to the council but had received no response. “There is little or no communication on what is going on. We never receive commencement notices ahead of the works and have no idea how long they will last.†Mr Scally said people are bypassing local businesses because of the situation and even delivery trucks are having difficulty getting into Summerhill. Sheila Gillen from Gillen's Supermarket questioned why the works were not done during the summer when the days were longer. She said that, every year, there are roadworks in the village the run up to Christmas. “It is a huge inconvenience for our customers and it is dangerous for young mothers and older people. Summerhill is a picturesque village and it is continuously being destroyed,†she said. A spokesperson for Meath County Council said the works that have been ongoing for the past few weeks are essentially remedial works to the recently constructed sewers in advance of these sewers being commissioned by Meath County Council. “The contractor and his sub-contractors are currenty completing pipe re-laying on Main Street, Summerhill, and will have this work completed and that section of road reinstated by the end of this week. There are other sewer cross-connections and sewer repairs to be completed on the main street and village green area of Summerhill. “The contractor has confirmed that these works will take place after Christmas. There is also the laying of ducting for broadband following the granting of a road opening licence to the company completing the works,†the county council spokesperson said.