Relief as local road reopens following upgrade

Shauna Bowers

THE R128 (Skerries Road), which was closed off for Irish Water to complete work on it, has reopened two weeks ahead of schedule. 

The road had been closed since September and reopened on November 10. The work was undertaken to stop the raw sewage that was being pumped onto North Strand Beach, Rush.

“Irish Water are delighted to announce that works have been completed ahead of schedule on the R128 Rush-Skerries Road between Kilbush Lane and Palmer Road.  

“Irish Water would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation during these essential works, which will end the discharge of untreated wastewater at Rush Beach," the company said. 

The diversion meant that Dublin Bus couldn’t operate in Rush town. Shuttles were provided so that commuters could be dropped off and collected at a bus stop in Lusk so that they could still avail of Dublin Bus services into Dublin city. 

While the locals understood the necessity of the works being carried out, many of them found the diversion very inconvenient and are very pleased that the works are over. 

“We felt fed up. We were getting up earlier for shuttle buses that sometimes wouldn’t show and would make us late for work and college,” Rush residents Niamh and Aine Harford said. 

Ms Harford also believes that the diversion negatively affected local businesses on the main street with many people on the far side of Rush going to Skerries for their groceries, shopping and socialising instead. 

Hackett’s Family Butchers in Rush said it noticed a drop in business of almost 30 per cent during the time the diversion was in place. 

“It definitely did us harm. We were contacting councillors and everything but there was nothing being done to help the trade in the town. We felt very neglected,” a Hackett’s spokesperson said. 

Some people were more affected than others but the general consensus is that although the untreated wastewater was a big issue that needed to be tackled, they are relieved they no longer need to deal with the shuttle buses. 

“Honestly, it wasn’t terrible for me because the diversion started after my stop but it did make the buses more crowded and added to the confusion. I am glad that the road is back in operation though, it really did add a lot of stress for many people,” said Ailbhe Daly, who works in Dublin Airport.