No start date for Kinvara Sewerage Scheme

A START date has yet to be confirmed for work to begin on the Kinvara Sewerage Scheme. Councillor Gerry Finnerty tabled a motion at a recent meeting of Galway County Council seeking information on the timeframe for the project’s completion. The answer he received from the council, he said is “unsatisfactory”.

According to the council, “it is not possible at this time to forecast the timelines requested”.

“The current position with the scheme is that the application for planning permission was lodged with An Bord Pleanála on March 14. The six-week display period finished on April 30. Submissions on the planning application go direct to An Bord Pleanála. A six-month timeline is envisaged, so it will be mid-September before a decision is reached. It should be noted that the network element of the scheme is quite small but whatever digging in roads has to be carried out, will be restored to acceptable standards,” outlined county secretary Michael Owens in a written response.

Councillor Finnerty said the answer is “totally unsatisfactory”.

Councillor Finnerty had also asked if Galway County Council looked for funding to repair and resurface the streets of Kinvara after works are complete “as the streets are now in a very poor state”.

“The other main issue I have is the state of the roads. The surface is totally eroded down towards the quays. I will be putting this down again next month. I asked a question but the question has not been answered,” he added.

Speaking afterwards, the councillor pointed out, “In other towns where there is a big dig, they get a new road surface afterwards but I am worried with the current financial position that Kinvara will not be provided with satisfactory road conditions”.

Councillor Finnerty said he will again be seeking a timeframe for completion of works at the next council meeting.