GIANT potholes continue to anger residents in Stenson Park, off Thomondgate.
However, there is a ray of light in that city council is on the verge of taking over the estate. Residents have been up in arms about the potholes, which are located in each avenue of the housing estate and are a dangerous hazard to motorists and to tyres.
Over the past number of months, the residents have frequently contacted this newspaper to highlight the issue, and called on the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kevin, Kiely, Deputy Willie O’Dea, who has a clinic in the locality, Cllr Maurice Quinlivan and other northside councillors, to have the issue attended to as a matter of urgency.
Each of the politicians mentioned was given an assurance that the potholes would be filled in and repaired in the short, rather than the long term.
On a visit to Stenson Park earlier this week, this reporter’s car almost disappeared into one of the crater-like potholes while negotiating a bend, and on taking a different exit route later, had to drive at snail’s pace to avoid serious damage to the car.
However, on contacting senior roads engineer, Vincent Murray, a firm assurance was given that urgent attention is being given to progressing road works in Stenson Park.
“The situation is that Stenson Park was never taken in charge and the council is now awaiting one piece of information that is crucial to us being able to take over the estate and implement various works that are required,” he told the Limerick Post.
“Until we receive the information required, we don’t have the legal status to go in there but we are confident that we will have everything required very shortly. It’s unfortunate that the estate is coming into our charge so late and was left to deteriorate – if the developer was still around, we would be getting him to attend to carry out works
“We expect to be able to go into Stenson Park in April or May at the latest and commence a phased programme of road and footpath repair, including the potholes”.
Mr Murray agreed that given that the potholes in Stenson Park are particularly deep and widespread, temporary repair work can be undertaken before the programme of upgrading work commences.
This picture, submitted by Gerry Neill, Stenson Park resident, illustrates the issue even further that road users face in the area.
