Clare County Council today signed a €7m contract with P & D Lydon Plant Hire Ltd of Gortacurra, Cross, County Mayo to provide a Bundled Sewerage Scheme for five villages and towns in Clare.

The Civil Engineering contract provides for a significant infrastructure investment in Scariff, Tuamgraney and Feakle in East Clare, as well as Quilty and Mullagh on the western seaboard.

The contract, which is the first of two major contracts associated with the scheme, involves the construction of over 20km of sewers and 2km of watermains, along with Stormwater (drainage) sewers and other ancillary works. The Bundled Sewerage Scheme is scheduled for completion in November 2008.

Speaking following the contract signing at Clare County Council's recently opened Area Offices in Scariff, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Patricia McCarthy stated: "This is a contract of major significance for the County and will provide vital infrastructure for the people of East and West Clare. When completed, the scheme will introduce significant scope for increased development and tourism potential in these important rural centres."

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"I am particularly pleased to sign this contract given that I, along with many others, have had personal involvement going back over 30 years in campaigning for the advancement of the Quilty and Mullagh schemes," added the Mayor.

Mr Tom Carey, County Engineer and Director of Services, Transport & Infrastructure, Clare County Council, expressed delight that the local authority had been able to proceed with the project.

"The signing of this contract represents another step in delivering the Water Services Investment Programme for Clare. It adds to the considerable number of schemes that are under construction across the County," he explained.

Clare County Council is presently constructing water supply improvement schemes in Ennis, Ballyvaughan, Newmarket-on-Fergus and West Clare (Kilkee). Work on sewerage improvement schemes in Tulla, Clarecastle and Newmarket-on-Fergus are also ongoing.

The total value of Capital Water Services Schemes currently under construction amounts to €40m.

(JM)