With Roscommon among the top places in the country for a pandemic move, further investment in the county town’s wastewater network is expected to aid the county’s pull in terms of relocation.
Armed with a recent survey indicating that Roscommon is a favourite for relocation and remote working, CEO of the Western Development Commission Tomás Ó Síocháin said the upgrade of the wastewater network is vital if Roscommon town is to continue to thrive.
“Water and wastewater infrastructure are key if our centres are to revive and grow. Data collected over the past two years shows that working from Roscommon is no longer a dream for many people and it’s vital that infrastructure supports growth,” he said.
Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Joe Murphy is pleased to see work underway on the €20 million upgrade of the sewer network in Roscommon town.
“Roscommon has a lot to offer. The past two years have allowed people to take a step back, slow down and experience remote working and it’s great to see people moving back to the town,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see investment of this scale; the scheme will be hugely beneficial for the entire county. The project has been organised very well and the works are being carried out with very little disruption”.
Turning the official sod on the project, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien said he looks forward to seeing further growth.
“Not only will this project increase the capacity of the wastewater network and improve water quality in local rivers, but it will support economic, social and commercial development. This upgrade will also play a key role in the successful delivery of housing into the future, a key focus of our Housing for All plan,” he said.
Explaining the complexity of the scheme, which includes more than 7km of new sewer infrastructure and new and upgraded pumping stations and storm water overflows, Irish Water’s Wastewater Portfolio Delivery Manager Michael Tinsley thanked the people of Roscommon for their support: “Irish Water is committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.
“Together with our partners Roscommon County Council, Tobin Consulting Engineers and GMC Utilities Group, we are excited to deliver this project which will benefit the entire region when it’s completed in 2023”.
