Significant flood relief schemes being progressed in Mayo

A number of significant flood relief schemes are being progressed in County Mayo, including in Crossmolina, Ballina and The Neale.

Crossmolina is at construction stage, with a three-year project to create a diversion channel away from the town to Lough Conn. The first sod on the €43 million project was turned last Fridayt.

Members of the county council's environment committee were told that in Ballina, a project that will protect 301 properties is at stage one and application will be made to An Bord Pleanála for a CPO for land for part of the scheme.

It is hoped to go to planning this year, with a three-year build. The project involves with walls, embankments, banks and plazas through the town, with funding announced in the past week.

Tom McDonnell, of the council's flood risk unit, said funding discussions are underway in relation to a €8-9 million scheme in The Neale, which basically moves water from one turlough to another and on to the Cross River and Lough Corrib.

This will protect 30 to 40 properties and also roads.

In Westport, a scheme at Cois Abhainn is complete, protecting homes there along the Carrowbeg River.

Further down in Westport town, a scheme viability review has been done, with a decision awaited from the OPW regarding assessments and planning to move it on further.

Meanwhile schemes in Louisburgh, Swinford and Foxford were deemed uneconomical but smaller works schemes will be looked at there.