After many “utterly frustrating false starts” over the last seven years, money and measures to finally deal with an area of contaminated soil in South Park are finally in place.
The Galway City Council has confirmed that funds will be allocated in the 2014 council budget for the retesting of the soil in South Park, following which a decision will be made regarding the nature of the remediation required.
Independent city councillor Catherine Connolly, who has campaigned for this matter to be addressed since late 2006, has welcomed the confirmation, “notwithstanding the fact seven years have passed; €30,000 spent on specialists’ reports; no master plan; and no remediation works carried out”.
Despite this, Cllr Connolly said the “latest turn in the saga”, with city officials confirming that money will be available for soil retesting, “might prove more positive”.
The retesting comes about following the result of the tests on contaminated gardens. She said she will continue to keep a close eye on the situation. Once the information from the retesting is available in 2014 decisions will have to be made by City Hall.
“It is simply not acceptable,” said Cllr Connolly, “that a wonderful facility like South Park has been left in a limbo situation for seven years
