Torrent of complaints over flooding

A RELUCTANCE to carry out works to alleviate flooding at Cluain Airne drew criticism from Shannon Town Council, at the December meeting.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy put forward a motion asking that the council provide additional gullies in the existing drain in the lane behind no 112. Councillor Sean McLoughlin also put forward a motion asking immediate action be taken to alleviate flooding behind nos 38, 39 and 40.
In a written response to Councillor McCarthy, engineer Eugene O’Shea stated, “While no funding is currently available to provide the additional gullies requested I will arrange for the existing gullies and pathway to be cleared at the earliest opportunity.”
In response to Councillor McLoughlin’s motion he wrote, “This flooding appears to be due to settlement of the pathway surface and/or insufficient provision of gully traps along the pathway. I will arrange for any existing gullies and pathway to be cleared at the earliest opportunity.”
However, the two councillors were not pleased with the responses received, Councillor McCarthy claiming a new gully is very much required, while Councillor McLoughlin said people in the area had been suffering due to flooding for years. Independent councillor Gerry Flynn branded the council response as “a ridiculous answer”.
At last week’s town council meeting, the members were told of yet another delay to the affordable housing development at Cluain Airne.
In a written report, members were told it will be late January before it’s finished. “The council’s representative on site has received delay notifications from Atlantic Development. This documentation is currently being assessed. A revised work programme is likely to see completion of the project during the third week of January 2012.”
Despite this, the same report stated, “Works are progressing satisfactorily.”
The report also stated interface works were complete, landscaping along the interface is 80% complete and internal finishes were said to have commenced.
It also stated, “Auctioneers/valuers from the council’s framework panel have been invited to tender for the sale of the affordable houses. On appointment of the auctioneer/valuer, a sale price will be agreed and marketing will commence.”
The Cluain Airne saga has been going on for many years and if the January target date is met, it will only be after many other ones going by the wayside.
The works that now seem to be on the verge of completion are just the first phase of a more comprehensive development. Before work started, Clare County Council were insistent 60 houses had to be put in to make the development viable.
However, with the housing market having turned on its head since then, it seems unlikely more will be put onto the site.