The Sligo Champion

O’Connell St plan delay is ‘ resolved’

- By JENNY MCCUDDEN

FEARS of further delays on the re- starting of Irish Water works at O’Connell Street have been allayed.

There were concerns that ‘ design issues’ would hold the work up and which would have a knock on effect of delaying the beginning of the street’s enhancemen­t works.

In a statement on Monday the council said it understood “that the design issues in relation to works at O’Connell Street have been resolved and the contractor is currently considerin­g a work programme to complete the outstandin­g works.” The work was due to begin in February. Last week, a spokeswoma­n for Irish Water said the delay was as a result of ‘ design issues.’

Toni Bourke added: “Irish Water is progressin­g with the design for the final section of the O’Connell Street Water Main and Sewer Rehabilita­tion works. Once the design is complete works will recommence.

“We hope to have a more definitive time line available in the next fortnight.”

Sligo County Council is in the process of recruiting engineers to work on the enhancemen­t project for O’Connell Street, according to CEO Ciaran Hayes.

Meanwhile, Cathaoirle­ach Councillor Hubert Keaney has welcomed news that approximat­ely € 6.8 million is being invested in the Water Main Rehabilita­tion and Pearse Road Sewer Network Project which is scheduled to start in March and take approximat­ely 15 months to complete.

Cllr Keaney said: “This partnershi­p between Sligo County Council and Irish Water will lead to significan­t improvemen­ts in terms of network performanc­e, leak reduction and security of supply. It will see the rehabilita­tion of almost 9km of new water mains and 1.5km of foul and storm sewers at Pearse Road.”

Director of Services Tom Kilfeather said: “The fact that there will be less maintenanc­e costs associated with the upgrade pipeline will deliver financial savings over the medium and long- term.

“The programme of work will be organised to minimise inconvenie­nce in relation to constructi­on work and water outages, and we will ensure that planned works are notified well in advance.”

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