Residents in north Dublin say ongoing works for a city centre cycle and bus project in Clontarf are a 'nightmare'.

The project has been ongoing for more than two years – and has now been delayed again.

It is now not due to be completed until the end of September.

The project involves new segregated bus and cycle lanes from Alfie Byrne Road in Clontarf to Connolly Station in the city centre.

The 2.7km route is costing €62m which will also see water mains being replaced.

The proposed Clontarf to City Centre Project. Image: Dublin City Council

Locals in the Fairview area of Clontarf told reporter Emma Tyrrell for The Pat Kenny Show they've had enough.

"It is a nightmare and it is going on so long," a man told her.

"They're saying because they found old railway tracks - whatever excuse they gave - but it's going on quite a long time now.

"The access - parking and blocking off turns - it has been a nightmare".

A woman said she's almost getting used to the noise.

"It's nearly become the normality to come down to Fairview and have the hustle and bustle of the drills."

Another man said: "It's an eyesore, the pathway here is unlevel and it's tight; so people are just avoiding the area at all costs".

'Penalty for not completing it'

Ken Duffy from Little Sport Bikes says it has cost him business.

"It's terrible, it's taken an awful long time and it's affected business hugely," he said.

"People know it's a flashpoint, it's a red spot, 'Don't go near Fairview because you're going to be stuck in traffic for hours'.

"They've picked Saturdays - which traditionally are busier days - to do a one-way system so they're knocking off any opportunity for people to come".

Ongoing works on the Clontarf to City Centre Project in Dublin. Image: Emma Tyrrell/Newstalk

Mr Duffy questioned whether penalties should be enforced for delays to projects like this.

"I don't see enough action and I don't see a determined effort to finish it," he said.

"I'd like to see a big push and maybe if they have to work longer hours to get it done, just get it finished.

"I don't know if there's a penalty for not completing it on time but it seems to be taking an awful lot longer than we thought".

'Extra things you find'

Clontarf Green Party Councillor Donna Cooney said the original delay was down to old electricity wires uncovered that had to be replaced.

"When you're digging up ground and looking down into pipes that are 100 years old and replacing them, there's always going to be other extra things that you find," she said.

"This was one of the first areas to be electrified in the whole of Dublin city – we had the tram, we had excellent public transport back then.

"There was wires that didn't show up on the original scope".

Cllr Cooney said other delays included a gap underneath one of the roads and requests from Uisce Éireann to do some other works.

Main image: Ongoing works on the Clontarf to City Centre Project in Dublin. Image: Emma Tyrrell/Newstalk