An infrastructure contract in Co Donegal is being delayed after it emerged that the renewal works to Main Street in the town of Milford has suffered a fresh setback.

After an eight-year wait and a street protest, work commenced at the beginning of March on the €1.3 million renewal works in the town.

However, a contractual disagreement between the main contractor and Donegal County Council has delayed progress on the works by at least a month.

The matter was discussed at length between local councillors and council officials at a secret meeting, held behind closed doors.

It later emerged that the contractor "lost a lot of time" during the dispute with the council but had since made assurances that "he will make up for lost time".

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According to the council it was originally anticipated works should be completed within a 26-week period from the beginning of March.

A council spokesperson said that the contractor has provided the council with a schedule of works, and, as far as the council is concerned, the outstanding issue has been resolved and can now get underway again.

Following the completion of urban renewal works in 1998, a public consultation process was undertaken whereby it was agreed that renewal works along the Main Street should be prioritised.

It was recognised that alternative off-street car parking provision would be required to facilitate the progression of any renewal works on the Main Street.

The council has recently completed the acquisition of suitable lands to accommodate the construction of a new car park and link road prior to the completion of renewal works along the Main street.

In order to ensure the minimum possible local disruption, the project will be completed in two consecutive phases.

The first phase will involve the development of an off-street car park scheme plus the creation of a link road between the Kilmacrennan Road and the Church Road.

The second phase will comprise Urban Renewal works along the Main Street between the Diamond and Public Service Centre road consisting of undergrounding of overhead services, new decorative lighting, street furniture and provision of new footpaths.

(BMcC/GK)