Delays halting work on busy Castlefin and Stranorlar streets

Delays in installing a new sewerage system were preventing tarring works on Stranorlar's Main Street while similar problems were being experienced in Castlefin due to proposals to deal with flooding issues.

Cllr Patrick McGowan told the last meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District that there were major problems to be tackled in both towns.

"You only have to look at both streets to see work is needed there. We were led to believe that there is a new sewerage scheme going to be put in place at Main Street, Stranorlar and some spot work for new leads in Ballybofey. The resurfacing of these streets was put back as a result."

A section of the damage road and footpath outside the post office in Castlefin

"It's terrible. We have roads deteriorating yet we are at the mercy of Irish Water. This scheme needs to be pushed on. The same applies to Castlefin. The surface of the road coming in at Grahamsland and in through the centre of Castlefin is now like a series of patchwork quilts.

"The side of the road beside the post office is cracking up and it's dangerous for people, particularly pensioners using it."

Cllr McGowan added he appreciated that this area and the area around McGlynn's cafe presented challenges under the flood protection scheme as stormwater, water mains and other services will have to be dealt with to tackle constant flooding in the middle of the village.

"We can't hold back work needed in these two towns on the N15 at the whim of Irish Water. It's hard enough to get them to do jobs without holding back the council from tarring these national primary roads. You have thousands of lorries travelling 24 hours a day on these roads.

Council engineer, Claire McGeever, said she would contact Irish Water for an update in relation to the proposed sewer works there and come back to councillors once she had some sort of a timeframe on it.

She added they would examine the streets in Castlefin to see what the issues are.