Dublin pharmacist says MetroLink work will ‘completely obscure’ his business | CPT PPP Coverage

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The Life Pharmacy, on Berkeley Road, was among several businesses near the Mater Hospital to raise concerns about the construction phase of the €9.5bn project.

A hearing has been listening to submissions from interested parties along the route, which includes 16 stations.

The 18.8km railway line is planned to run from north of Swords to Dublin Airport, then on to Ballymun, Glasnevin, O’Connell Street, and St Stephen’s Green, before terminating at Charlemont.

Brendan Flanagan, who runs the Life Pharmacy with his brother Kevin, told the hearing he might as well be “in the hole” created by the works for the underground station which will be within 10 feet of their front door.

Plans outlined to the business owner show a 4-metre hoarding will be erected in front of the pharmacy, which Mr Flanagan said will leave the pharmacy “obscured completely” from customers.

He also said most of his customers are elderly, and “it takes years to generate goodwill and develop customers’ loyalty”.

“We have always been under pressure, and I don’t know if we can survive the length of time it will take to get the work done, and I am in fear of the possibility,” he said.

Aidan Foley said Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) “fully recognised” the impact of the work on the pharmacy, but added it is “difficult” to build a station without impacting either residents or businesses.

“We believe that while the impacts of construction will be difficult, they will have huge benefits for your business and the entire community,” he said.

TII suggested that signage on the hoarding could be considered to ensure people are made aware of the open-door pharmacy.

The owner of a flower shop on Berkeley Road also raised concerns about whether the works would obstruct her flower displays, which she says are a main element of her business.

“If I lose that display, I lose everything. We get fresh stock daily, and I need to ensure that people can access the store,” she said.

Another major fear for the business owner would be dust accumulating on plants.

TII responded by saying that a local business liaison officer would be in place to ensure there were alternative places for deliveries to businesses.

Dust mitigation measures in place will ensure that the accumulation of dust would not impact her stock.

They also ensured business owners that they would be cooperating with them to ensure that there were proposals in terms of advertising for businesses that will be obstructed by the works.

Separately, Breda Scully, who has lived all her life in Phibsboro, asked An Bord Pleanala to not allow the Mater station to be located in the Four Masters Park, which she described as a “green oasis in a desert of greyness”.

She said the park in front of the hospital “calms people’s minds”, and urged the board to look at alternative locations for the station.

In response, the project manager for Dublin MetroLink, Mr Foley, said that while a number of trees would be removed during the works, the park would be reinstated after the works are carried out.