Environmental study delays drainage works

FEARS of future flooding in areas of South Galway were expressed at a recent meeting of Galway County Council.

According to a senior council official, works on a drainage scheme in the area decimated by flooding in 2009 cannot go ahead until after an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is completed and a planning application submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

Councillor Michael Fahy asked what progress is being made between the council and the Office Of Public Works “in regard to the proposed drainage of the Dunkellin River” and also asked that “the concerns of the community of Roveagh and the Kilcolgan areas be taken care of as there is some anxiety that future flooding could be a serious concern at this location”.

In a written response, Galway county secretary Michael Owens explained an EIS is currently being prepared but is not yet ready to go to the board.
“Galway County Council are currently working with the OPW and our engineering experts to prepare the EIS and planning application to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
“This permission is to enable us to proceed with drainage works on the Dunkellin River and Aggard stream. The environmental issues and cost-benefit analysis for the scheme are currently being finalised,” he responded.

Separately, Mr Owens confirmed that no funding is currently available from the OPW for drainage works in an area close to Kinvara also previously affected by flooding. He was responding to a query from Councillor Fahy.
Councillor Fahy had requested information from the council “on what progress is being made by Galway County Council with the Office of Public Works in regard to land drainage in the Currenrue and Roo areas of Kinvara because a petition was made by the farming community of that area in 2011 to have drainage carried out by the office of public works”.

In a written response, Mr Owens outlined that no funding for the project has yet been released.
“Galway County Council have discussed the issue of drainage in this area with the OPW. However, this area is tidal and very difficult to work in. To date, no funding has been made available from the OPW to Galway County Council to undertake any works in this area.”