Renewed calls to clean rivers after Mayo flooding

RIVERS must be cleaned out so water can run freely, a Mayo councillor has insisted after melting snow and rain during Storm Bert led to extensive flooding.

Referencing the Mayour River specifically, Kilmeena Councillor Johnny O'Malley has warned that a life will be lost if it isn't cleaned soon.

Acres of land was flooded, he told a municipal district meeting yesterday, impacting septic tanks - a direct result of the river not being cleaned. This has to be done, he said, so people can safely live in rural areas where the water can run freely to the sea.

Westport town centre is another area under threat, Councillor Brendan Mulroy added. The Mall River requires cleaning out the Ballinrobe Road, which was flooded, and the 'free flow' through into town will see the main bridge go, he warned.

The flooding in Erriff was like nothing ever seen before, he continued, and all because the water has nowhere to go with rivers blocked.

Achill Councillor Paul McNamara said the rural areas are vulnerable to climate change, with some homes in his area without electricity for four days and others losing their water supply for two days.

Initiatives such as green solar energy and recycling plastics in shops were good for future generations, but something has to be done in relation to climate change for the generations here now, he said.

Councillors acknowledged the response to the crisis caused by the weather by council staff and others such as the ESB.

However, Councillor McNamara highlighted how council staff levels have fallen, and this has an impact on the ground.

The council's chief executive needed to lead out to ensure there is a proper emergency plan in place, a point Councillor Chris Maxwell agreed on, who said they don't have enough staff to deal with all the issues.

On electricity outages, Councillor Maxwell suggested cutting trees along the roads with a tree shears would help as power lines are being damaged by falling trees.

And gritting routes to schools was a further need he highlighted, to ensure safety during icy spells.

Councillor Gerry Coyle agreed with cutting back trees and bushes, as gritters couldn't get through as they had ended up so far out over the road.