Bord Gáis to reveal Tuam connection plans in March

By JACQUELINE HOGGE BUSINESSES throughout Tuam are currently being assessed as to their gas requirements by Bord Gáis who are still undecided on whether or not the town will be linked up to the national network. Talks between Bord Gáis Networks and Galway County Council are understood to have been completed before Christmas and the utility company is now visiting shops and businesses throughout the town to gauge their likely gas requirements. Despite an invitation to present their intentions to Tuam Town Council last October, senior management from Bord Gáis do not plan on doing so until March at the earliest. The company has also been in contact with Tuam Chamber of Commerce but no details as to whether or not the gas connection construction will proceed have been forthcoming. Time vital Chamber President John Stapleton said time was of the essence as work on the Big Dig was due to be completed over the coming months and businesses needed to know now if further disruption was likely if the gas installation does go ahead. 'We were contacted back in October by Bord Gáis for permission to present their proposals to the Chamber, but we've heard nothing since,' he said. 'From speaking with business people in recent weeks I understand officials from the company are in town at the moment assessing the likely gas usage, but we would welcome a statement from Bord Gáis sooner rather than later as to what their plans are. 'The last thing we want is further disruption but we see the value of a gas connection for Tuam and once we are informed as to what work will be involved and when it will begin, we can prepare.' Mayor of Tuam Cllr Mary Loftus said the Town Council has received confirmation that officials from Bord Gáis will address the March council meeting. 'We have been trying to find out what their intentions are since as far back as October and we were expecting a deputation at the January meeting,' she said. 'But the Town Clerk has confirmed they have written to ask to address the March meeting so hopefully they will have answers for us at that stage. 'I believe businesses in the town have been approached and that is a good sign, although I don't think residential demand has been assessed, and that will be a great pity if the gas connection does not serve homes as well as businesses, but we'll have to wait and see.' Commercial sensitivy A statement issued by Bord Gáis Networks said the commercial sensitivity of talks over recent months with various agencies meant it was not in a position to issue a public statement on the matter. 'Bord Gáis Networks is continuing to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the business community in Tuam to contract the required gas usage in the town in order to allow the gas connection construction to proceed,' it said. 'Tuam Town Council is aware of, and supportive of, these ongoing efforts.  As soon as Bord Gáis Networks has made sufficient progress, it will advise the Council and present on the plans for the proposed gas connection to the town.' Meanwhile, it has emerged that despite plans to complete the Big Dig by April, as per the two year timescale for the project, construction could continue in certain places for a further six months. Bishop Street is the final area of the town centre being worked on with the road not likely to reopen to traffic before the end of the month. However, Tuam Town Manager Frank Gilmore confirmed this week that a 12-month maintenance contract that would follow on from the end of the project meant Coffeys workers would remain in the town for some time after April. 'There will be at least six months of tidying up work to be done so people should not be under the illusion that construction work will cease completely in April,' he said. 'The council will issue the contractor with a certificate of defects which will have to be rectified within a 12-month period. 'There are always glitches on a project of this size so there will be a certain amount of work outstanding once the main work itself has been completed.' There has been concern that any further work involved in installing a gas connection to the town would prolong traffic problems in the town. Ducting there already However, ducting to accommodate the gas pipes has already been installed during the Big Dig construction work, with Bord Gáis insisting the work required to install the actual pipes would not lead to the same disruption caused over the past two years. 'If the gas connection goes ahead I would imagine Bord Gáis would need to work alongside Coffey's personnel for a certain period to ensure the work is carried out in line with the services that have already been installed as per the Big Dig,' added Frank Gilmore.