Leitrim councillors raise concerns over road damage following Uisce Éireann works

Leitrim councillors have raised concerns about the condition of roads and footpaths following works carried out by Uisce Éireann, with questions raised over how effectively damaged surfaces are being reinstated.

At a meeting of Leitrim County Council on November 2, Cllr Paddy Farrell called on the council to outline the procedures in place to ensure Uisce Éireann repairs roads, footpaths and other infrastructure after digging them up to repair burst pipes.

He also asked whether there is a designated person in each of the county’s three Municipal Districts responsible for ensuring infrastructure is restored to the condition it was in before the works began.

In an official response, the council confirmed that all excavations on public roads, footpaths and associated infrastructure require a Road Opening Licence (ROL) issued by Leitrim County Council. This includes works carried out by Uisce Éireann and utility providers such as ESB Networks, Eir and others.

The licences come with conditions that companies must follow, including managing traffic safely while work is underway, completing temporary repairs, generally within 48 hours, and carrying out permanent reinstatement within the timeframe specified in the licence, typically within six months. Roads, footpaths and verges must also be restored to the required standard.

The council’s Roads Section, including Municipal District engineering staff and Area Engineers, is responsible for overseeing road-opening works.

Where reinstatement works are found to be unsatisfactory, the council can require the licence holder to carry out additional remedial work to bring the road or footpath back to the required standard.

“On average, approximately 40 Road Opening Licences are processed each month across the county,” the reply stated.

The motion was seconded by a number of councillors, including Cllr Paddy O’Rourke, who said it took 15 months to have a manhole replaced in his area. He said this “included a number of visits from personnel from Irish Water who declared it unnecessary.”

According to Cllr O’Rourke, the manhole was only replaced after it was struck by a heavy vehicle, causing it to hit an oncoming vehicle.

Cllr Enda McGloin added that, “Irish Water comes and rips up the road and it’s never the same again.”

Cllr Gary Prior told the meeting that, during the recent orange weather warning for rain, a sewerage manhole in Ballinamore overflowed, with wastewater entering around the home of a young woman.

He said that when Uisce Éireann was contacted, the company said it could not send someone out because of the weather warning.

Cllr Prior said he was still trying to get someone to take responsibility for the issue, leaving the woman to deal with the sewage water at her home.

When contacted by the Leitrim Observer, Uisce Éireann said it investigates all complaints or concerns raised in relation to works carried out on its behalf and takes appropriate follow-up action where required. The utility company also confirmed that its Roads and Utilities team recently met with the council as part of its ongoing engagement.

A spokesperson said: “Uisce Éireann works are delivered through a combination of direct labour and contractors working on our behalf.

“Where works involve excavation of the public road, footway or verge, they are subject to the appropriate Road Opening Licence from the relevant Roads Authority.

“Contractors carrying out reinstatement works on behalf of Uisce Éireann are required to submit the relevant T5 certification to the Roads Authority following completion of the works.”

They added that members of the public can raise concerns regarding Uisce Éireann works through its 24/7 Customer Care Team on Freephone 1800 278 278. Elected representatives can also use a separate dedicated contact channel through Uisce Éireann’s Local Representative Support Desk (LRSD).

“Uisce Éireann will investigate all complaints or concerns raised in relation to works carried out on our behalf and take appropriate follow-up action where required.

“Our local Roads and Utilities team met with Leitrim County Council this week as part of our ongoing engagement with the local authority,” the response concluded.