Call to remove sewerage pipe from town river

A CALL to have the waste water pipe that crosses the town river in Castlebar removed has received strong support from local councillors.

Councillor Ger Deere suggested its removal as it is impeding the use of the river for water-based activities, as well as posing an environmental risk.

The 'unsightly' main sewer pipe, put in 16 or 17 years ago, goes down through the river and then crosses it.

In an area where Mayo County Council were promoting tourism, Lough Lannagh and the waterways, it was impeding activity on the river, which had huge tourism potential, and also the aesthetics of the town.

Speaking on a notice of motion at a Castlebar Municipal District meeting, he made the point that you should be able to kayak from Bilberry lake to the Moy.

It was, he said, a 'bizarre' situation and he asked Mayo County Council and Irish Water to do something about it. It might be possible with the old Lavelle's Bakery redevelopment.

Councillor Deere also made the point about if there was a major leak from the pipe, and its impact on the Moy as the river is a tributary.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said he wanted information from the council about how the pipe was put where it is.

There was a contract, he said, and the line was not running along the river. He wanted to know from the records who made the decision to change that. Was it cost saving, he asked, or why did it depart from the route agreed.

He agreed that if there was a leak it would be a 'disaster'.

Also supporting the motion, Councillor Al McDonnell said the pipe may not be leaking today but some day in the future it would, with disastrous consequences.