'Are they building the Taj Mahal?' Laois hairdresser questions eight week road closure

Businesses and households in a Laois town are preparing for up to eight weeks of disruption for major Uisce Éireann waterworks.

One lane of Parnell Street in Mountmellick will be closed from between four and eight weeks, as old and leaking cast iron watermains are replaced by new pipes. The work is set to start on June 16, a week later than first scheduled. 

Water may be turned off, while traffic will be reduced to one side of the road.

Uisce Éireann have told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that no water outages are scheduled at the moment.

"There are no planned outages at present. If  there are any planned outages during this project, customers will be provided with two working day's notice," a spokesperson said.

There are about a dozen businesses on Parnell Street, including the town's undertakers, community arts centre, Credit Union, several hair salons and takeaway restaurants, shops and a pub. Two churches are also on the street.

One of the businesses affected, which fully relies on water supply, spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Frankie's Hairdressing on Parnell Street is owned by Frankie Horan.

"We got a letter saying it will be closed for eight weeks. Are they building the Taj Mahal? I asked them what side of the road is affected and they told be to wait until the lads come to confirm that.

"My business is safe enough, although I will lose passing trade. But I have a carpark on my side of the road, with nine spaces. It serves two apartments as well as my business. We won't have any onstreet parking during the works. They should make parking in the square free for the duration as we will all have to park there instead.

If I get notice it certainly helps to reschedule appointments. It will be tight enough, it's tight as it is, the margins are brutal. If turnover drops, it's a killer. I hope it will be shorter than eight weeks," the hair salon owner said.

He wants to assure his clients that he will contact each one individually to confirm where to park.

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