Munster Express Online

Our local Councillor, Pat Fitzgerald, has been in close contact with the Roads Department of Waterford Co. Council regarding the current state of roads in and around the village and has made the following statement in the matter:

“The closure of a section of road which connects Lower Dunmore East to the Upper Village, Harneys Hill, has been made necessary due to a rock fall from the cliff face underneath the roadway near the top of the hill.

“Engineering staff from Waterford’s County Council decided to close this section of roadway on Friday morning last, initially the road was closed to both traffic and pedestrians but was later reopened to pedestrians. The beach, Lawlors Strand, has also been closed to the public although it is hoped this beach can be reopened in the very near future.

“I have been in contact with officials from the council and they have assured me they are doing everything they can to re-open the road, a preliminary survey report on the foundations of the road should be available to council engineers next week, depending on the results of this survey, officials will then decide what action can be taken.

“After a severe winter which has done a lot of damage to local roads making driving difficult in rural areas the people of Dunmore East could have done without this latest road closure. Apart from the inconvenience of this road closure, the drive from the T-junction at the top of the hill to the Strand Inn was one of the most scenic to found anywhere in the county and was no doubt a great asset to Dunmore East as a tourist attraction. In the interests of local people and of the local economy every effort must be made to re-open Harneys Hill as soon as possible.”

He also said that the condition of the road at Coxtown near the shamrock factory is also being considered by the Dept. They are at present preparing a plan for remedial works but at present it is not clear what decision the engineers will make. He said that roads all over the County are severely damaged and the Dept is currently overburdened. However the engineers have been on site and are monitoring the situation.