Residents cannot get cars out of driveways

Residents in estates in Tuam have been either locked in or out of their homes after water meter installers blocked off driveways and footpaths – leaving them either unable to get cars out onto the street or else back into their homes.

Cllr Shaun Cunniffe told The Connacht Tribune that residents were not informed that the roads and footpaths in front of their houses would be dug up. He said that it was a major inconvenience for them.

Contractors engaged by Irish Water are currently installing meters and are issuing documentation to householders informing them that they are on the way.

But according to the independent councillor some householders in Tuam are not being told when the meters will be installed.

Cllr Cunniffe claimed that residents in estates like Lissadyra, Curragh Park and Cloghran have not been given any notice of the meters being installed and the entrances to their houses being blocked off.

“A large number of people from various different estates are really annoyed by the absence of notice prior to the arrival of Irish Water contractors to install water meters.

“This annoyance is completely separate to people’s views on Irish Water, the company. The absence of notice has not allowed people to plan for the inconvenience. People are arriving home to see their driveways blocked and footpaths closed off,” Cllr. Cunniffe added.

He said that some elderly people and those with mobility problems had been totally caught unawares and particularly as no alternative walkways were provided by the contractors.

The installation of water meters has been taking place in various estates in Tuam over the past couple of weeks but residents are not happy with the manner in which it is being carried out.

“Any concerns raised with the contractors are handled very poorly and dismissively with the contractor telling residents that they are not ‘required’ to give notice but do so on occasion as a ‘courtesy’.

“At the weekend, all the barriers and work in progress including blocked driveways that are just left as is until Monday morning. The required initial two weeks’ notice followed by the three day notice is not happening and the arrival of the contractors in a large convoy of trucks really restricts movements in the estates affected.

“The contractors are unwilling to show the permits to open footpaths to people and residents believe that they may not have such permissions,” Cllr. Cunniffe stated.