Public update on flood risk plans
PRELIMINARY options to address the flood risk in Ballina and Swinford are to be outlined at a public information and consultation day next week (June 24) and a scheme to prevent flooding in Crossmolina will be put out to public consultation in the coming weeks.
Deputy Michelle Mulherin of Fine Gael, who has welcomed the news, said she has received confirmation from Minister of State Simon Harris, Office of Public Works (OPW), that a further public consultation will take place in relation to the various options being considered for flood protection and flood mitigation in Ballina and Swinford at the public information day.
The consultation will be held in the civic chambers of the Ballina council area office at Arran Place on Wednesday, June 24. Members of the project team will be giving a presentation to elected representatives from 2 p.m. and the event will be open to the public from 3 to 8 p.m. Swinford will have a separate event on the same day in Swinford Library and Cultural Centre, Station Road. The timings are the same as for Ballina.
Deputy Mulherin stated: “For some time now I have been pursuing the issue of putting in place flood protection measures for Ballina, Swinford and Crossmolina with Minister Harris, the OPW and Mayo County Council.
“The development of a flood risk management plan for the River Moy in Ballina was put in place by the OPW after I arranged for the former Minister of State, Brian Hayes, to visit Ballina to view the damage caused by the flooding and meet with officials from Mayo County Council in the presence of officials from the OPW.
“Following on from public consultation last November, draft maps to identify scientifically and comprehensively areas at risk of flooding from both fluvial and tidal threats to parts of Ballina were identified and confirmed.
“The CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk and Management) project has also identified of potentially significant flood risk to parts of Swinford. There are 300 areas in total around the country the subjects of the CFRAM project.”
Matters in Crossmolina are at a more advanced stage following the devastation caused to the centre of the town when the River Deel burst its banks in the run-up to Christmas 2006.
Said Deputy Mulherin: “The Crossmolina flood scheme is being designed by consultants in conjunction with the OPW and I expect that the proposed works under the scheme will be put out to public consultation in the coming weeks.”