By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Cork County Council was sharply criticised at Youghal Town Council’s December meeting over the ongoing delay to extend the outfall pipe at the Front Strand. Town Engineer Paul Murray said there was insufficient funding to undertake the work due to a severe reduction in development contributions.

Cllr Liam Burke described the announcement, as “dreadful” and said residents in the area, whose gardens were persistently being flooded, would be “extremely disappointed,” He said the project had been on the agenda for several years before a completion date for late 2008 had been promised. Mr. Murray said it was now intended that the project be included in the advance budget for the planned €20m main drainage works. Cllr Burke reminded that Youghal Town Council had contributed €30,000 to the work, which the County Cork was supposed to match and he’d like to know the whereabouts and the intended future for that money. Town Clerk Liam Ryan said it was in the council’s care and its destiny unaltered. On the other hand, informed Town Manager Patricia Power, a dive survey for the main drainage scheme had shown sand infiltration as a major problem and perhaps an alternative solution to extending the outfall would best be incorporated, with the money contributing to that. Meanwhile the engineer was unable to give a definite date as to when the work would commence, but he hoped the funding would come on stream, so to speak, in 2009. Scheme on stream Addressing the main drainage scheme later into meeting, Ms Power said the County Council remained fully committed, the government had promised the funding, designers have been appointed and a working group formed. Ongoing meetings are being intensified and although there has been “an unscheduled delay” in dealings with An Bord Pleanala, relevant consultants have been appointed, surveys conducted and land purchases are in progress.