Night motorway work infuriates residents

Pic: Orla O'Neill.

Residents of Cnoc na Greine were up in arms last night as the National Roads Authority used heavy machinery and chainsaws to take out trees along the motorway edge near the estate, writes Brian Byrne.

Apart from the upset caused to families trying to get their children to sleep while the work was going on at 9.30pm, they're concerned that the loss of the trees will further exacerbate a growing noise issue in the estate over motorway traffic.

Local resident Annie Downes said one of her children was 'wide awake and scared' because of the work noise, while Orla O'Neill noted that the chainsaws could be clearly heard through the evening.

"These are the last of the noise-dulling, carbon monoxide-absorbing trees between us and the motorway," Orla O'Neill added, saying that while the work may mean the motorway might be moss-free, it showed scant regard for the people who live beside it.

The motorway noise issue is of real concern, and has been raised with the relevant minister by local TD Martin Heydon.

Residents want proper noise barriers erected between the estate and the M9, as is routinely done on most motorway projects that run close to built-up areas.