South Dublin residents are celebrating after South Dublin County Council (SDCC) announced that repair works will be carried out on Edmondstown Road.
The road was closed in November 2017 after illegal excavation works caused the partial collapse of the road.
On Friday, SDCC said that legal process against the unauthorised excavation is taking longer than expected and that it would undertake repairs in case the condition of the road worsens.
SDCC said a contractor has been appointed and works will start within the next two weeks. It is estimated the road will reopen in December.
Locals from the South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown areas who use the road have been expressing their joy and relief on the Reopen Edmondstown Road Now Facebook page.
Elizabeth Davidson said: “Hurray!! About time!”
Clare Hamilton said: “Well done on all the hard work to highlight the effect of the closure and [the] campaign to reopen the road!”
Local resident Miriam Mason said it is great news, but the residents will be keeping a “close eye” on the works.
“Residents overall are overjoyed. Knowing that there is something definite in the pipeline is great news for us.
“But, there is resentment that SDCC made the residents pawns in a legal battle. SDCC didn’t consider the needs of the residents. It’s been hugely disruptive.
“We will still be impacted until the road reopens, and we will be keeping a very close eye on the progress. We will be delighted when the road is open but if there’s any more delays I don’t think residents will put up with it.”
Director & Co-Owner at Merry Ploughboy Irish Pub, Donal Cawley, said the news has brought relief.
He said: “We are just pleased that everyone has finally seen sense to fix the road first and pursue the offender afterwards if he was not co-operating – which is what we argued for almost a year ago.
“It’s been a difficult year for the business, our staff and customers. We are relieved there is now an end in sight.”
Local politicians who have been campaigning alongside the locals have also expressed their delight.
Cllr Emma Murphy (FF) said: “I am delighted and relieved for the local community in Rockbrook and Edmondstown that the correct decision has been made for SDCC to intervene and commence works on site.
“The opening of the road will have a hugely positive effect on the area including the local schools who have been adversely impacted.”
Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin said: “This work is long overdue. The uncertainty around the lack of a clear date for the reopening of the road and the difficulties encountered by the council in stepping in has only added further stress to the local community, and it is great news that things are finally starting to move.”
Green Party councillor Francis Noel Duffy, said: “While the news that repair works are to begin soon is very welcome, the council need to guarantee that the works will proceed as quickly as possible and ensure that they provide a clear timeline for when the road will reopen.”
SDCC said a contractor has been appointed and works will commence within the next two weeks.
