Kilrush street in a ‘time warp’

THE poor state of the road surfaces in Moore Street, Wilson’s Road and the Fort Road in Kilrush were highlighted at last week’s Kilrush Town Council monthly meeting.

Councillor Stephen O’Gorman likened Moore Street to how it would have looked 60 years ago.
“Moore Street is the downside of Kilrush. It cannot be left like that. It’s like a time warp. Going back to the 1950s you’d see the same thing,” the John Paul Estate based town councillor stated.
Councillor Liam O’Looney called for a “complete restoration” of Moore Street where, Councillor Paul Moroney pointed out, a number of businesses have closed recently.
Meanwhile, the condition of the Fort Road, just outside Kilrush, was compared to the surface of the moon by Councillor Tom Prendeville.
“You could only describe it as a lunar landscape. You could break your ankle there,” he said, stating that he regularly walked the road in question.
Town engineer Derek Troy said that improvements to the Fort Road had been part of the 2009 budget but the road works were not carried out due to budget cuts.
Councillor Stephen O’Gorman also criticised the state of both Wilson’s Road and the footpath on the Ennis road. “I don’t know is it because it’s that side of the town,” he said.
“If someone gets killed there, it’ll be no laughing matter then,” Councillor O’Gorman added, stating that the road and footpath in question are used by school children every morning and evening.
The condition of Kilrush roads and footpaths was raised by Councillor Prendeville, who asked that the town manager bring forward proposals for a programme of improvement works. He suggested that the improvement works be financed from the €361,321 derived from development contributions up until last December.
However, Councillor Prendeville acknowledged that council road workers had helped the town to remain passable during the freezing spell at Christmas.
“Their service was exemplary and ensured that normal life continued during those very difficult times,” he told the meeting.