‘Get the diggers in’ and clean Westport rivers says Mayo council candidate

AN Independent candidate in the Westport Electoral Area has called on Mayo County Council to 'get the diggers in' and clean local rivers in order to prevent flooding in rural areas.

Louisburgh-based Independent candidate, Chris Maxwell welcomed the recently completed €1.5 million Westport Flood Relief Scheme which addresses flooding of two estates alongside the Carrowbeg River in Westport Town.

Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council described the project as a good example of how flooding that impacts small community areas can be successfully addressed in a timely and effective manner.

However, Mr Maxwell feels that if the same amount of money was spent on cleaning rivers in the Westport Electoral Area it will prevent flooding and called on Mayo County Council and the OPW and other relevant bodies to make this happen.

“We in rural communities in the Westport Electoral area are seriously impacted by flooding from local rivers that have not been cleaned for decades. Typical examples of these are the Mayour in Kilmeena, the Bunowen River in Louisburgh and the Carrowniskey River near Killeen. These rivers are choked with overgrown trees, silt and debris. People have tried for years to get the relevant bodies including the OPW, Mayo County Council and the fisheries board to address this problem but to no avail; yet if flooding impacts on Westport town estates that have only been built recently, the problem can be rectified promptly.

“I am calling on Mr Kelly to look at the flooding problems on these rivers once again. Another €1.5million would clean all of those rivers and more. This in turn would help trout and salmon return to free-flowing rivers, avoid nutrient run-off from farmland and stop the threat of roads and homes upriver from being flooded,” he said.

Mr Maxwell said that neglected river drainage is a country-wide problem resulting in catastrophic damage to businesses and homes and instead of blaming climate change, he called for the opening up of our rivers and 'let the water flow'.

“It is a great opportunity for you Mr Kelly, and Mayo County Council, to be seen as the foremost responsible leaders in our country to get this problem sorted. You have made a start, get the diggers in, lead the way and finish the job,” he concluded.