Two infrastructural schemes seen as vital in combating future flooding in Carlow town are set to go ahead following the resolution of problems experienced during the tendering process.
Director of services John Carley told members of the urban council last week that the issues which had held up the progression of the two schemes for several months had been resolved.
The Department of the Environment had sanctioned both the main drainage scheme and the flood-relief scheme at a combined cost of €20 million earlier this year.
However, after severe flooding hit the town in August of this year, it emerged that the implementation of the flood-relief scheme had been stalled by problems in the tendering process for the main drainage scheme.
The unsuccessful tenderer in that process had lodged an appeal against the decision, holding up both schemes, which the council had decided to put together in one package.
“Those issues have finally been resolved,” Mr Carley confirmed last week.
“The tendering assessment has been completed and a report for the department is expected to be with them early next week.
“The department are absolutely aware of the urgency of the scheme and we continue to be in constant liaison with them on that particular scheme.
“We anticipate signing the contract in or around Christmas or not very long after that.”
Although the local authority’s recommendation remains subject to the approval of the department, the resolution of issues affecting the main drainage scheme will also mean the town’s flood-relief scheme can move ahead.
The Office of Public Works had already made €2 million in funding available for that scheme before it was stalled because of the issues with the main drainage scheme.
This year alone, flooding in Carlow town has cost the town council €70,000 in emergency flood defences and damage reparation, a sum the council are seeking in remuneration from the central government coffers.
And council officials have moved to assure councillors that funding will be made available for the progression of the main drainage scheme next year.
“There is an additional €90 million in the government estimates for water services infrastructure which includes the Carlow project,” county manager Tom Barry said.
And Mr Carley reminded councillors that Minister John Gormley had made a commitment to members at the time of the August floods that the scheme would go ahead.
