by Alan Jacques
WORKS on O’Connell Street are another imposition for retailers in the city centre, particularly in the run up to Christmas.
That’s according to Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, who has written to the chief executive of Limerick City and County Council seeking clarification on the roadworks which have been taking place for a number of months.
Deputy O’Dea also claimed that most retailers in the city centre are already hanging on by a thread after enduring almost two years of lockdowns and various Covid restrictions.
“The current situation where a huge part of the core retail section of O’Connell Street has been a building site for months now is another major imposition for retailers and shoppers alike, particularly in the run up to Christmas, which is the busiest time of the year for retailers,” he said.
“City centre traders are telling me that they are not receiving any communication from either the Council or the contractor on site as to when the job will be finished.
“I have asked the council chief executive to clarify what arrangements are in place to keep the local traders informed and I have also suggested that they waive the commercial rates for the final quarter of this year for the city centre businesses affected by the roadworks.
“In my letter to the chief executive, I have also asked if the project is being delivered on time and within budget. I have also requested that the Council clarify how much has been spent to date on the roadworks and what the total budget is?
“This Christmas, despite the roadworks, we can all show our support to Limerick city centre retailers and businesses, by remembering to shop local and help maintain jobs and ensure that our much-loved local businesses not only survive, but in time, thrive,” Deputy O’Dea added.
There was no response from Limerick City and County Council at the time of going to print.
