WORKS to address flooding issues in the Twin Towns will finally commence in February 2023, it has been confirmed.
Irish Water are planning to install a new sewage network in Stranorlar, running from the Letterkenny road to the Chapel which will address the persistent problems with flooding in the area.
Cllr Patrick McGowan met with Irish Water last week after raising his concerns at last week’s Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District Meeting. He said the utility company were holding the council back and preventing them from addressing issues on national roads in Stranorlar and Ballybofey.
Cllr McGowan explained that there is a problem with the current sewage network and storm drains in the towns, and that the wrecked roads cannot be resurfaced until the issues are sorted by Irish Water.
Speaking about the plans to install a new sewage network Cllr McGowan said that these works have been delayed by Irish Water for three years, and kept “failing to materialise”.
During the meeting with Irish Water Cllr McGowan was told that the work will finally commence in February 2023.
He welcomed this “good news” and said that once the work is completed by Irish Water, Donegal County Council will be able to obtain funding from the National Transport Authority to resurface the roads.
Cllr McGowan also raised concerns regarding the state of the road in Castlefinn. Following a recent visit to the town he said he was shocked to see that the main road had deteriorated so badly, he said the sides are collapsing and it looks “like a patchwork quilt”. He said that due to the deterioration of the road there is serious trip hazard outside the town’s Post office and he is concerned especially for elderly people going in to collect pensions.
Full resurfacing of the road cannot take place until a flood risk assessment study, which is currently underway in the town, is completed and issues concerning Irish Water are addressed.
The Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study is being carried out in collaboration with the Donegal County Council and Irish Water in high risk towns such as: Castlefinn, Ballybofey and Lifford.
“Council can’t request funding from the National Roads Authority to resurface the road in Castlefinn until these major engineering works are done,” Cllr McGowan told the Donegal News.
He added that he has been assured that there will be temporary measures put in place to address the issue.
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