Loughtagoona estate likened to ‘an obstacle course’

WORK on a housing estate in Corofin, which one councillor likened to “an obstacle course” is to begin in September, Clare County Council has confirmed.
Ruan councillor Joe Arkins recently asked the area engineer to provide a progress report on the schedule of works for the taking in charge of the Loughtagoona estate at Corofin.
“It is like an obstacle course, going in there,” Councillor Arkins stated. “The manholes are a disgrace, they are up five or six inches,” he went on.
Stephen Lahiffe, senior executive engineer from the council’s Ennistymon area office explained that issues surrounding the taking in charge of the estate had “been going on a number of years”.
“A number of banks and bond holders took over the estate and the responsibility for it. They were very unco-operative with Clare County Council,” he explained, adding that it was only in recent months that “things have been cleared up”. Councillor Arkins accused the banks of “dragging us through a load of hoops that there is no need for”.
Responding to Councillor Arkins’ motion, Mr Lahiffe said, “Clare County Council employed the services of a specialised contractor to provide a CCTV survey of the wastewater and surface water network of the above estate. The survey is now completed and has exposed serious deficiencies in the network. It will not be possible to surface the road network until the underground network is rectified. Currently, we are examining each individual defect and preparing a list of works required. Given the scale of the work required, it will not be possible for Clare County Council to complete the works by direct labour and we will have to employ a sub contractor. It is hoped to begin work on the rehabilitation of the underground network in September.”
Mr Lahiffe told the meeting of councillors that in order to address the problems identified by the survey, the road and pipes would have to be dug up.
“It is very disappointing but we are as well to get it right now rather than having to do it again,” Mr Lahiffe commented, adding that local residents had been very co-operative with Clare County Council.
Councillors Arkins, Richard Nagle and Michael Kelly also praised the residents in the estate.
“I have nothing but admiration and sympathy for the people who live in that estate,” said Councillor Nagle.