It is going to be a very expensive job and won't be done overnight - council

Cllr Padraig Fallon asked the area engineer when works will commence on the R289 at Kilcoon, Dromahair and if an estimate of the duration of the works can be given. 

A report by the Roads office said that investigations are still ongoing regarding an appropriate course of action and initial examinations indicate that there will be significant costs involved. Site investigation works will be procured in the near future to inform and develop feasible options for reinstatement of the road.

The response continued that the council continues to liaise with the Department of Transport regarding the necessary funding.

"Currently there is no defined programme or start date for the reinstatement works. Leitrim County Council is hopeful of developing the preferred option and commencing works in the summer of 2024," the response concluded. 

Senior Engineer with Leitrim County Council Terry McGovern said that a geo-technical engineer has been employed. 

"It is going to be a very expensive job and won't be done overnight. The road will have to be fully closed when we're doing it", he said, adding there was "a budget to get going on it; I don't think that budget will complete the works they're talking about."

He said the rock face is very steep and it's "coming through the centre of the road and then you're into the river; the land on the upper side of the road has a very steep gradient as well so we have to come up with an options report."