Waterworks could sink Ballinasloe businesses

Ballinasloe is set to be paralysed for up to two years by a ‘Big Dig’ to upgrade the water mains and treatment plant, as well as street enhancement works in the town centre.

The planned works have been split between two contracts – the first of which is set to get underway soon and taking up to 18 months.

Local independent TD Denis Naughten told the Connacht Tribune the works will cause major disruption in the town, and has asked Irish Water if the contract can be expedited.

The first contract involves water mains rehabilitation works from Brackernagh (west of Garbally Oaks), past Portiuncula and the Fair Green, along Dunlo Hill and Harbour Hill and also travelling up to St Michael’s Square.

The second contract will be awarded at the end of the year and is also likely to take 18 months to complete. It involves street enhancement work in the town centre (including Dunlo Street, Society Street and Main Street) as well as further water mains upgrading.

Deputy Naughten met with Irish Water last week, appealing for the utility to expedite the work.

“If it were to take 18 months to complete these [first contract] works, it would delay plans to resurface the streets as well as limiting access to shops in the town itself. This cannot be allowed to happen.

“With the second contract, it will be a further 18 months – that means we’re looking at up to two years in total.

“It is crucial that these works are coordinated and fast-tracked as much as possible, even if it means paying a little extra to have it completed to a tighter timescale.

“This will cause major disruption to the town and Ballinasloe just cannot afford it.

“The first project – which has been awarded to Ward and Burke Construction – will upgrade the water network in Ballinasloe to be more resistant to frost, leakage and service interruption.

“The works will involve the upgrading of 2.5km of surface water sewers and 840 metres of street enhancement works at Brackernagh,” said Deputy Naughten.

He said that Irish Water has made provision for work to be halted during the October Fair.

“Work will stop for twelve days around the Fair, but 18 months is a very long time to have roads dug up, and we’ve seen the impact ‘Big Digs’ have had on retail in other towns.

“Irish Water must now put a strategy in place that firstly limits the impact on access to the town itself during the contract period and secondly ensures that this project is completed as soon as possible,” said Deputy Naughten.