Write a commentLocal businesses in Newry have expressed their anger after Canal Street in the city was the scene for major works today, leaving just one lane for traffic and nowhere to park for prospective customers.
A sign on the street explained the street would be closed next Saturday and Sunday for Virgin Media work but locals weren't consulted re todays work.
John Tierney of VIVO on Canal Street believes it should be called the 'Most dug up street in Newry" Mr Tierney said "Apart from it having a major impact on all the local businesses they never consulted or informed local business. This could have been carried out many months ago but the choose to do it the week when over 2000 school children return to school in the area."
Another business owner confirmed that no consultation was received by him either.
While work was ongoing today the contractors accidentally cut the power supply and left businesses along the right side of Canal Street with no power for over 4 hours. The cable has now been fixed and power restored.
A Virgin Media Spokesperson said "It was accidently damaged as, we believe, they weren’t installed deep enough (they should be at a depth of 450mm but it was 200mm)."
Newry City Councillor Charlie Casey explained that a local electrician was able to set up emergency power and spoke of the "Huge inconvenience to Business, Traffic and Pedestrians" and added that a local taxi firm had difficulty with their Parking and PickUp.
Commenting on the incident a Virgin Media spokesperson said “Virgin Media is in the process of expanding its ultrafast broadband network in Newry which bring the UK’s fastest widely available broadband speeds to the area.
“Unfortunately a power cable was accidentally damaged during the upgrades works – but it has now been fixed. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Work continues this week when the other side of the street will be dug up.
