Current works will not solve flooding and sewage issue at blackspot in Tullamore

WORKS currently taking place on the banks of the Grand Canal – to the eastern end of Callary St and Convent View in Tullamore – will not solve an historic sewage problem which has bedevilled the area for over three decades, a local councillor has admitted.

"The works will alleviate the situation but not cancel it," outlined Cllr Declan Harvey.

As recently as two weeks ago sewage spewed into the Grand Canal when torrential rain caused severe flash flooding.

Sewers were unable to cope with the huge volume of rain which fell onto the Callary St and Convent View area and faeces and toilet paper washed onto the street and into the waterway.

Flooding has been an issue in the area after heavy rain for three decades and numerous calls have been made on Uisce Eireann to address the issue.

The flooding is viewed as a health hazard as often the water contains not just raw sewage but toilet paper and, on at least one occasion, a condom was also seen floating in the water.

At the July meeting of Tullamore Municipal District councillors heard that Uisce Eireann have significantly advanced design work on sewer upgrades on either side of the Canal at Convent View and Convent Road.

Director of Services Tom Shanahan was responding to queries from councillors who are furious over the ongoing situation where raw sewage from a manhole spews out onto the footpath and road whenever there is heavy rain.

Cllr Declan Harvey said unsuspecting cars drive through the floods washing the sewage into people's houses.

''It's not good enough. If it was in Dublin 4 it would have been dealt with long ago.'' Cllr Harvey was supported by all of the councillors.

Mr Shanahan said the Uisce Eireann design will include an upgrade of the siphon under the canal.

''We have not been given a date as to when these works will be carried out. There will be surface water drainage work carried out on Convent View as part of the Urban Greenway and these works will mitigate the impact of heavy rain on the combined sewer across the canal but will not solve the underlying problem,'' he said.