A SEWAGE saga running for almost 30 years in Shannonvale could finally be resolved after it was confirmed that Uisce Éireann has now been cleared to progress works to return public access to the park.

Locals had dubbed the green space ‘Uisce Éireann Park’ because of regular raw sewage spills, and had campaigned relentlessly over the past 28 years to get the issue resolved.

The spills have been affecting the Argideen River, which supplies Clonakilty with drinking water.

Alan Dromey, chairperson of Clonakilty Clean Water, said this was a hugely significant and positive announcement for Shannonvale village and the wider community.

‘For 28 years, the community has lived with the impact of the wastewater issues affecting the village park and surrounding area, so to now see a preferred solution identified and the project moving forward is extremely encouraging,’ said Alan.

‘Clean Water Clonakilty is proud to have led a fair and balanced campaign to highlight the issue while working constructively with all parties involved.

‘Naturally, people will remain a little reserved until we see diggers on site, but for the first time in a long time, it genuinely feels like the finish line is in sight for Shannonvale.’

He added it was very encouraging to see common-sense politics help move the project forward, with indications that works could begin as early as this year.

Clean Water Clonakilty said the development would benefit over 20,000 people across West Cork with safer water supplied by the Jones Bridge water treatment plant.

On the technical side, a route and site selection report has been finalised, identifying both the preferred location for a new wastewater pump station and the required alignment of the associated collection network.

The project is now progressing to the next phase, which involves engaging with local landowners to secure the lands necessary for development.

A contractor has been appointed to progress the detailed design and take forward the mandatory statutory consent process.

Cork South West TD and Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan praised the patience and persistence of the community, and thanked Uisce Éireann for responding to the community campaign and giving residents back their village park.

Minister O’Sullivan said that the park wasn’t just their childhood playground for many adults in Shannonvale, but their main community space, out of bounds for years.

‘I want to thank the campaigners for their patience and their persistence. It’s something I’ve been working on personally since 2009, and it’s such a relief to everybody that finally we’ll see work commence.’

Last autumn, Uisce Éireann was convicted and fined €4,000 in the High Court for breaches at the local treatment plant in a prosecution taken out by the EPA.

Uisce Éireann issued a statement confirming that it was ‘pleased’ to be progressing the Shannonvale wastewater project to its next phase. A UÉ spokesperson added: “We would like to thank the local community and elected representatives for their patience and engagement as the project progressed through the necessary stages…’

UÉ said the completion of the feasibility study and the route and site selection report ‘represent a significant milestone, confirming that the preferred solution is to pump wastewater for treatment to the nearby Clonakilty wastewater agglomeration’.

It added: ‘This work has also identified the preferred location for a new wastewater pumping station and the required alignment of the associated collection network.’

UÉ said engagement with local landowners would follow ‘to secure the lands required for development’ but ‘at this stage it is not yet possible to provide specific construction timelines’.