Sir, - The parlous state of this old landmark, highlighted recently by John Treanor (October 15th), is the result of years of blatant neglect by Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, which owns the premises. The building currently houses on short lease a TV production company and is also, on a squatters' basis, the home from time to time of many of the local pigeon population. The latter have indeed left their mark.
The town hall has a very fine first-floor auditorium which could be preserved in any plan to resuscitate the building.
In recent years Blackrock has been swept along on a wave of developments which have had a seismic impact on the village. Sprouting office blocks have brought a surge in the worker and car population. The workers are very welcome. However, there has not been any infrastructural move from the local authority, apart from regular fine-tuning of the rates. The Blackrock bypass it should be noted, was funded by the National Roads Authority. Meanwhile traffic has become chaotic in the heart of Blackrock. DART commuters leave cars wherever they can find a place for them, which often means on one of the narrow surrounding residential roads.
The streets are suffering, and outworn street drainage systems are caving in under the weight of security vans and articulated containers. Several of the roadside water-gullies are obsolete and choked with years of accumulated dust and rubbish. Street cleaning is carried out in an increasingly despairing fashion with antediluvian equipment.
A focal point is needed to help to revive a sense of civic spirit. The aspirations of the Vocational Education Committee as outlined in Mr Treanor's letter are to be lauded and are fully supported by the Blackrock Chamber of Commerce.
The funds needed should be made available by the Department of Education. Indeed, the Minister, Mr Martin has a precedent to give such work the green light in view of the similar works recently funded by him in his own constituency, namely, the College of Commerce, St John's Further Education College and Scoil Stephain Naofa College of Further Education in Cork. - Yours, etc.,
Conn Collins, President, Blackrock Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin.