Stalled sewerage scheme to restart but at high cost

A stalled multimillion-euro sewerage scheme in a Cork town is expected to be restarted before the end of the year — but at a significantly higher cost to the taxpayer.

In mid-2012, contractors SIAC decided to abandon work on the sewerage scheme in Bandon following mutual agreement with Cork County Council.

The contract for the Bandon Sewerage Scheme Stage 2 Main Works was designed to improve and expand the existing combined sewerage and storm drain systems in the town and its environs, including the construction of two storm water pumping stations located in the town centre.

The project was to comprise the construction of approximately 14.6km of pipelines and 272 manholes in the streets and roads in and about Bandon.

A considerable amount of the work remains unfinished.

Cllr Alan Coleman (FF) said there had been much delight in Bandon when the SIAC contract was signed, especially as there had been a 10-year fight to get go-ahead for the project.

“There has been deep disquiet in the town ever since the project suddenly ended in midstream and that there’s been such a delay in getting it back on track,” Mr Coleman told colleagues at a meeting in County Hall.

He was informed that since Irish Water was now in charge of all sewerage and water schemes, the county council had been forced to make a business case to it.

County engineer David Keane said that while Irish Water had to give formal approval, he had been informed it intended to retender the project “in the late summer”.

Mr Keane said the final costs wouldn’t be known until this retendering process had been completed.

Mr Coleman said SIAC had encountered more underground archaeology than initially anticipated. “It’s likely to cost significantly more than initially thought because of a large scale of archaeological remains in the area,” he said.

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) said he was also anxious to see the scheme getting back on track, while Mr Coleman said the suspension of the project had put the development of new businesses in Bandon on hold.