Irish Water respond to timing of Hazelwood Avenue works

The Dundalk Democrat contacted Irish Water to find out when and how they communicated the planned road closures at Hazelwood Ave to those affected.

Their response is as follows:

“Irish Water is investing €800,000 to upgrade  the sewer network in the Hazelwood Avenue, Bay Estate, Dundalk. These works are scheduled to commence on Monday, September 17th and are expected to be completed within 16 weeks. 

"The works involve the replacement of approximately 220 metres of a 600mm combined sewer situated on Hazelwood Avenue at the entrance to Bay Estate in Dundalk Co. Louth just off the junction of the Eastern By-Pass Road.

"These works will benefit local residents by replacing old network that was in need urgent replacement.

"During the works a road traffic management system which will include road closures as required will be in place with a dedicated diversion route. Local access will be maintained at all times. Córas Pipeline Services Ltd. is working on behalf of Irish Water to deliver this project.
 

"Irish Water along with Córas Pipeline Services Limited will endeavour to minimize impact to the effected residents and ensure they are communicated with throughout the project.

"We will be in direct contact this week with all impacted residents along the route in advance of the commencement of the project.”

The Dundalk Democrat then asked Irish Water to clarify why residents have not been notified by Irish Water before now.
Irish Water's responsed to say:

“Louth County Council granted the road closure licence last week at which time we were able to establish a commencement date for the project thus issuing a letter of notification to the residents, scheduled for  tomorrow.”

The Dundalk Democrat asked Irish Water the following questions:

• Does this mean that Irish Water were unaware until last week that the it would be commencing work on the 19th?
• Does Irish Water feel that one week is sufficient time to communicate a 10 week road closure to affected residents?
• Is Irish Water saying that it would have issued a notification to residents sooner, had Louth County Council granted the road closure licence earlier? i.e. Louth County Council is responsible here?

Irish Water's response to this was as follows:

"Irish Water working in partnership with Louth County Council is delivering this project to improve the sewer network which will benefit the residents of Hazelwood Avenue, Bay Estate, Dundalk. 

"Once confirmation of the road closure was in place the notification to potentially impacted residents/customers was arranged. Local access will be maintained at all times and works will be carried out so as to minimise impact to residents.

"The notification of works will be issued to residents tomorrow.

"We will be in direct contact this week with all impacted residents along the route in advance of the commencement of the project and we are committed to engaging with these residents throughout the duration of the project."