Council urged to waive road-opening charges for water schemes

CLARE County Council has been requested to waive the road opening charges for group water schemes carrying out repairs to the water mains.
This request was made by Councillor Pat Keane at a county council meeting on Monday where he warned that group water schemes were finding it increasingly difficult to pay for the cost of fixing breaks on the line.
In addition to a road-opening fee of €200, Councillor Keane, who is a member of a group water scheme for 37 years, pointed out that group water schemes also had to pay for the cost of opening the road including obtaining a machine operator with insurance.
He was supported by Councillor Tom McNamara and Councillor Bill Chambers who noted group water schemes provided a valuable resource, which could be recognised by levying an annual once-off charge for road openings.
Stating that most group water schemes operate in co-operation with the council, Councillor Oliver Garry suggested the council could enforce the road opening condition without charging the fee.
Councillor Gabriel Keating felt the council should have a look at this system to reduce the financial burden on group water schemes.
As a member of a group water scheme, Councillor PJ Ryan called for an increase in the maintenance grant to schemes to cover this charge.
While the difficulties being encountered by some group schemes are acknowledged, acting director of services, Nora Kaye stated it would be extremely difficult to justify the concept of waiving of road opening charges for them.
“To create such a precedent would not only result in a loss of much-needed income for the council but an expectation would be created that such an entitlement should also be accommodated for other sectors or individuals.
“Road funding in allocations has reduced by over 30% over the past three years and as a result, it is becoming more difficult to deal with inevitable depreciation of the asset which has been built up over the past10 to 15 years.
“Invariably, the knock-on effects of leak repairs include restoration/repair requirements and the bringing forward of the need to resurface affected roads.
“All of this has a significant cost and it would be inappropriate for impacting group schemes not to contribute to the bill.
“The most appropriate way to implement this is through the fee structure associated with road-opening licences,” she explained.
County manager, Tom Coughlan said the council would have to ascertain what the cost of providing this waiver would have on its finances.