Businesses in Carrick-on-Shannon have been left "near tears" due to delays in completing a multi-million street enhancement scheme in the town.
Councillor Des Guckian made the claim at this month's meeting of the Municipal District after the council confirmed that the works will now be completed by July of next year.
In November 2019, Leitrim County Council announced plans for a major facelift of the streets of Carrick-on-Shannon.
Work was well underway by the time the Covid lockdown hit in March, which stalled the urban renewal project until the autumn.
However, concern has been expressed in recent weeks at the seemingly slow progress on the streetscape plan which was due to be originally completed by December of this year.
At this month's meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon M.D, Councillor Des Guckian sought an explanation for what he called " the unbelievably long delay" in the completing the public realm works.
Responding to his motion, the local authority said that it was "disappointed and concerned" by the contractors "unacceptable" delays in works to date.
They explained that they have now reached an agreement on a schedule which will see the overall contract completed by July of next year.
Main Street works, as well as plans for St George's Terrace and the Clock junction are to be completed by April, with the Dublin road and Leitrim Road completed in July.
Engineer Shay O'Connor also explained that the project lead had told a meeting earlier this month that delays were linked to the work being more difficult than planned and due to quarries being shut there was also a difficulty in sourcing a supply of materials.
