What price progress?

Editorial

What price progress?

The progress made on local infrastructural projects, while at times inconveniencing the public, pays dividends in the longer term.

Thursday, 16 May 2013
3:15 AM GMT



Few would have disagreed that there was an urgent need to make dangerous sections of the N72 safer, and indeed there were many calls to do so, yet the months-long roadworks just completed took their toll on local businesses along the affected sections.

Local businesses in places like Ballyhooly and Castletownroche reported a substantial drop, not just in passing trade, but in their local custom too as residents living close by, faced with lengthy detours to get there, found it easier to get to Fermoy and Mallow to shop. In the teeth of a recession it was a hardship they could have done without. 

For residents there was the daily hassle of long diversions for months on end over poor roads to make even relatively short journeys to work, schools and sporting and leisure events. Now that the road has been realigned to take out those dangerous sections and reopened, those who travel it daily will likely appreciate the benefit and see their patience and tolerance rewarded.

A similar albeit more short-term situation will arise in Fermoy next week when work finally begins on replacing a section of watermain servicing the community hospital and businesses and homes on the Courthouse Road, as well as in the village of Clondulane. Major traffic disruption is likely with long delays expected. Again it’s a case of ‘no pain no gain’ as the work, while causing much inconvenience, is carried out for the greater good.



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