Still no end date for Glasson sewerage scheme

Already two years behind deadline, there is still no definite date for the ending of work on the Glasson/Ballykeeran/Coosan sewerage scheme, it has emerged. Members of the Athlone Area committee of Westmeath County Council told the council executive this week that it wasn't good enough that they couldn't get an update on the progress of the Glasson/Ballykeeran/Coosan sewerage scheme and said they had not been able to get answers in relation to specific questions. Both Cllr Gabrielle McFadden and Cllr Mark Cooney raised the issue at Monday's meeting of the committee, seeking an update on the scheme and asking when it will be commissioned. They were told the scheme is substantially complete, the pumping stations have been completed and commissioned and are ready for service. However, they were also told there were a few outstanding items on the pipe network that required attention and the civil contractor and the consulting engineer are working closely with the council's water services section to resolve these issues. The council was unable to give a definite date for completion. Cllr Mark Cooney said there was concern out there that there is difficulty with a section from the rear of the village of Glasson to the Low Road and said this section had been excavated on one or two occasions, with one occasion resulting in 'a canal' emerging in the village. "I would like to know there are no problems with the laying of the pipe there and I would like to know when it will be finished," he said. Cllr Gabrielle McFadden said she had heard the same rumours and she would like clarification. Director of Services for the Athlone Area Barry Kehoe said he couldn't give any more information than was in the answer as he was not the Director for Water Services but he could come back to them with information. He added that there were problems with some of the pipes but he didn't have the full details. Cllr Cooney said he appreciated that Mr Kehoe wasn't involved with the project, but said someone from this area should be fully briefed on the project. He said there wasn't another area committee meeting for two months and asked if it could be put onto the agenda of Monday's full council meeting and the director agreed to do this. Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said people had put up with a lot and there was one house in the Coosan area without a connection and no explanation as to why this was. "We're failing to get the answers. We were at a meeting last Thursday night and we were ashamed with the stuff that was thrown at us. We need a response," he said. Cllr Gabrielle McFadden added: "I'd hope we'd get an answer by next Monday. It's not good enough for us to be going back with half answers." Cllr Cooney said it was wrong that the councillors couldn't get an answer and their constituents were telling them what was happening. Mr Kehoe apologised for the inadequacy of the response and said he would talk to the Director of Water Services and ask him for a detailed response for next Monday and said the councillors could discuss the matter at the county council meeting if needs be.