Letter to the Editor: Ferrybank residents want action
Ferrybank Shopping Centre - just one of the longstanding issues impacting the area.
Dear Editor,
Ferrybank Residents held an inaugural meeting on Saturday at Bloom Cafe, Ross Abbey, Ferrybank. It was open to all residents of Ferrybank.
I launched a new Facebook Group, ‘Ferrybank Focus’, which has become the fastest growing Facebook group for Ferrybank with over 1,200 people joining in its first two months.
What soon became apparent was a range of unresolved local matters causing frustration to residents, whether it be travel with issues such as defective traffic lights, uncommunicated changes to road junctions or poor road surfaces, to false promises of future events, such as a year of being told the South East Greenway is to open in a few weeks, without even mentioning the saga of Ferrybank Shopping Centre.
In respect of the opening of the Greenway for example, with its access points from Ferrybank, the false promises create understandable mistrust and skepticism when we are told about non-specific projected opening times for the sustainable bridge and the transport hub.
The Greenway is not a difficult issue at this late stage following month after month of unexplained and uncommunicated delays. 1. Take today’s date. 2. Work out how many days of work are left. 3. Add that number of work days to today’s date and then… 4. you have your opening date. The official frequently repeated phrase of ‘a few weeks' is utter nonsense and should not be tolerated.
The frustration expressed by residents made it clear that Ferrybank Residents was a natural progression, hence its launch. Ferrybank already has a Community Development Group but Ferrybank Residents will have noticeable differences, particularly with meeting times and agenda items being focused on residents’ needs. Minutes will promptly be made available to everyone who wants them.
I am also hoping to set up a hard copy in Ferrybank Library.
There will be times that issues need a multi-agency approach and these can be referred to the Community Development Group if necessary.
In respect of day to day matters that arise, words are one thing but it is action that delivers and we know that matters raised by Ferrybank Residents will have the full support and understanding of our great local councillors from both Kilkenny and Waterford.
Steve Thwaites,
Ferrybank.
