John Street Pipe Bursts Prompt Calls for Urgent Fix
By ArdeePost Reporter
Residents of Ardee are voicing growing frustration as burst water pipes have become a regular hazard on John Street, with the latest incident occurring within 25 metres of the previous repair early this morning. Commuters and motorists were left dealing with traffic disruptions and water surging onto pavements in yet another example of recurring infrastructure failure.
A local business owner described the situation as “absolutely unacceptable.” “It’s not just repeated repairs—it’s the constant disruption, risk to safe footpaths, and potential damage to businesses,” she said. “We’re sick of temporary patches. We need a permanent solution.”
A resident whose home has suffered water pressure issues and occasional flooding, added: “Every burst drives home how fragile our water network is. When will the council invest properly, rather than sending out quick-fix crews every week?”
Louth County Council has yet to issue a long-term plan to ensure lasting relief.
Council meetings with public representatives are now being demanded. Cllr. Pearse McGeough told the meeting: “Ardee’s residents deserve more than a stop-gap approach. We must commission a full audit and rebuild of this section’s pipework.”
Infrastructure experts suggest the problem may stem from ageing Victorian-era cast iron pipes prone to corrosion and ground movement. A full replacement with modern materials like ductile iron or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) could offer a durable remedy—albeit at higher initial cost.
A spokesperson for Louth County Council said: “We are aware of the John Street incidents and sympathize with residents inconvenienced. An assessment is underway to determine the scope of works required for improved long-term resilience. We will publish a timeline as soon as possible.”
As Ardee’s community awaits concrete action, residents are encouraged to report any further pipe bursts via the council’s online fault-reporting system. The question on everyone’s mind remains: how long until a permanent fix replaces the persistent patchwork?
Next Steps:
Community push for funding and infrastructure upgrade.
Council to conduct detailed pipework audit.
Residents to stay vigilant and report incidents promptly.
