Fresh demand for action on Crossmolina flooding
MAYO Dáil Deputy Michelle Mulherin has called on the Office of Public Works to redouble its efforts to ensure completion of the design of a flood relief scheme for Crossmolina as soon as possible.
In a statement today, the Ballina-based TD stated: 'The OPW has already retained consultants to design a flood relief scheme.
'The draft scheme needs to be completed as soon as possible so that it can go out to public consultation with the local people and a solution found and implemented to mitigate against the cause of flooding in the town.
'The urgency is clear when we see for the second time in three weeks the River Deel has taken over the centre of the town causing devastation to homes and to business premises once again.
'Thankfully the Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme will be funded as part of the OPW’s €430 million capital investment programme which was confirmed during the Summer.
'Also the scheme for Crossmolina is at an advanced design stage and ahead of most towns in the country which are seeking flood defences. So there is already a firm commitment to Crossmolina but we need an extra push to speed up completion of design so that we can see the flood defences put in place as soon as possible.
'Unfortunately this is happening all too often and we can see the reality of global warming on our doorsteps causing more rain, storms and unpredictable weather in this countryand on this occasion it is the people of Crossmolina and other affected areas who feel the real misery of it.
'However in all the misery which I witnessed yesterday when I visited Crossmolina the most impressive thing was not the natural disaster but the triumph of community spirit.
'Without a doubt the response and unity of the fire brigade, council workers, Civil Defence and so many local people trying to assist in any way they could was fantastic even as the relentless wild wind continued to blow sheets of rain.
'It was great to see the local branch of the Irish Red Cross providing support and respite to emergency workers and locals in their especially commissioned trailer which saw its first outing on Saturday in Crossmolina.
'I spoke with Junior Minister Simon Harris with responsibility for the OPW this morning and briefed him on the situation in Crossmolina (where I had brought him to meet with locals during the summer) and also requested that he take up the matter of speeding up the process for a new Flood Relief Scheme for Crossmolina with the OPW as a matter of urgency.’