Business owner wants new road closed

A BUSINESSMAN in Sandyford has called on the local
council to consider reopening a recently closed road because he maintains it
has detrimentally affected trading.

The Old Murphystown Road was closed when the new
Murphystown Way, which involved the provision of a new single carriageway road
from junction 14 of the M50 motorway to the Ballyogan Road, was build by Dun
Laoghaire Rathdown County Council last June.

When the council opened the new road it closed the old
Murphystown Road and only allowed access to local traffic.

Fergal Scolard, who owns the Centra at nearby
Sandyford Hall, which is located along with several other retail businesses
just off the Kilgobbin Road, said his shop has suffered a 10 to 15 per cent
decline in business since the old Murphystown Road closed.

Mr Scolard believes the fall off in trade at his
business is directly linked to the closure of the road because he said it takes
residents living in several estates such as the Gallops and Glencairn up to
three times longer to drive to his Centra since the road closed.

He said over 500 local people who regularly use the
shop have signed a petition urging the local authority to consider reopening
the road because of the downturn in his business.

“Certainly after discussion with one or two local
councillors, one of the comments that came up was that business was down
everywhere,

? he said.

“But I know that this fall in business is particular to
the road network changing. I know my business and I track it on a weekly and a
daily basis.

“The point I have made is that it is only when we are
gone that the locals might regret that they have no local shop anymore.

?.

However, Eileen Rogers, who lives on the old
Murphystown Road, said a significant proportion of local residents would not be
in favour of the road being reopened for safety reasons.

“That road is far too dangerous to open again,

? she
claimed.

“It was really dangerous for pedestrians when there
were cars on it. All my neighbours are absolutely in favour of keeping the road
closed at both ends to protect lives. This road was never built in the first
place for suburban traffic and it was a country road really.

“One of the points he [Mr Scolard] has made is that
his business has declined as a result of the closure of the road. Just because
the road closed and his business declined does not mean that one leads to the
other.

?

Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) said that council staff and
local councillors were aware of the reported impact the road closure was having
on businesses in Sandyford Hall.

“Local residents are very much divided on this issue,

?
said Cllr McCarthy.

“I will continue to encourage residents to support their
local shops and businesses to ensure their survival. In the event Murphystown
Road was going to be reopened it would have to go through a statutory process,
including public consultation.

?

A spokesman for the council said that it completed
proper planning procedures in relation to the closure of old Murphystown Road
to through traffic.

“We have met with local businesses and elected members
and explained that it is our view that the road is now far safer for
pedestrians and cyclists and indeed facilitates those who wish to walk or cycle
to their local shop,

? he said.

“Works to further improve connectivity within the
local area are planned and details will be made available in due course. The
Transportation Department has received feedback from residents in the area who
do not wish to see the road re-opened.

?