The need for more public consultation when it comes to major roadwork projects was stressed at this week’s meeting of the Fermoy Electoral Area committee in the wake of what happened in Ballyhooly. Councillors Frank O’Flynn and Noel McCarthy both sought an up-to-date report on the works.

Cllr O’Flynn said there should be full consultation beforehand with Cllr Noel McCarthy making the point that, when it comes to having to have services like the ESB and Eircom moved to facilitate works, dates should be agreed in advance and adhered to so that what happened in Ballyhooly won’t happen elsewhere.

“The hardship and inconvenience this has caused Ballyhooly is terrible,” he said. “In future there should be public meetings called to inform local residents and business owners of roadworks that may impact on them,” he added.

They were then given a progress report on the Ballyhooly to Fermoy roadworks with the area engineer saying, as reported elsewhere in The Avondhu this week, that the main part of the road will be done by January 28th and all the works completed by February 4th. The latter part of the works will require only a limited road diversion.

Cllr O’Flynn expressed the hope that the contractor would work ‘over and beyond the call of duty’ to get the job finished.