A subcontractor has been slammed for causing "utter chaos" for traffic in a north Dublin village earlier this week.
Traffic in Donabate was brought to a standstill with reported delays of up to two hours due to resurfacing work that was supposed to be carried out overnight.
Residents said they missed hospital appointments and were late for work - with irate gardai reportedly seen shouting at road workers to stop disrupting rush-hour traffic on Tuesday evening [April 30].
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Local councillor Adrian Henchy slammed the situation as a "disgrace" and called for financial penalties for contractors who breach traffic management arrangements.
He told Dublin Live that "unfortunately, it's not the first time in recent months we have experienced traffic gridlock in the village".
In a letter to Fingal County Council Director of Operations, David Storey, Cllr Henchy said: "To see irate Gardai shouting at road workers yesterday evening at 5pm to immediately stop working because of the utter chaos the workers were causing is just a terrible situation for all parties concerned.
"The amount of emails and messages I got yesterday and today was unprecedented and in a number of cases caused significant distress for people.
"Donabate has become very tolerant and patient around traffic delays but what happened yesterday was totally unacceptable."
Residents told the Fianna Fail rep that journeys that would ordinarily take five minutes took up to an hour while the 33B took almost two hours for what would normally be a 40 minute journey from Portrane to Swords.
Some children even missed important speech therapy sessions due to the traffic mayhem.
Councillor Henchy continued: "I was canvassing last night in Donabate and the anger and frustration expressed at the doors to what occurred yesterday was palpable.
"No warnings were given and no one on the ground yesterday to manage the unfolding situation.
"It was total gridlock in all areas of the peninsula with tailbacks for miles in all directions.
"What is really frustrating Mr Storey, there was widespread recognition of the council's works in resurfacing the village in recent weeks and how this work was managed and essentially carried out at night, the work was most impressive and the disruptions were kept to a minimum.
"The vast majority of people in Donabate-Portrane were very complimentary of this initiative but then you have what happened yesterday which totally destroys the feelgood factor and degree of goodwill towards the works been carried out in Donabate."
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Councillor Henchy urged Mr Storey to ensure that all future roadworks are carried out at night time to avoid future disruption.
In his reply, Mr Storey apologised to residents for the bedlam in the village.
He said: "We have set up a cross departmental team to coordinate work and licences and in most cases this has worked.
"We have also provided information to residents groups, councillors as works are rolled out and this has proved helpful to all concerned
"In relation to the works yesterday this was caused as the main contractor of the resurfacing scheme sub contracted out the iron works.
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"The sub-contractor did not comply with the order given for night time works only in this area.
"I am fully aware of the implications of decision we take and the potential impact on the area and it is not in the interest of Fingal County Council to cause traffic congestion.
"I look forward to working with all councillors, community, council and residents associations in the Donabate area."
