Crossmolina community ‘fed up’ with flood relief delay

Ciara Galvin

THE people of Crossmolina are ‘fed up’ and ‘scared’ waiting for flood defences to be put in place. That is according to Fianna FΡil councillor Michael Loftus, who made the comments in response to Minister for State with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran’s comments in Seanad Éireann. Mr Moran said he was taking the delivery of flood defences for Mayo by ‘the scruff of the neck’.
The minister was responding to a call for action in the construction of flood defences for Crossmolina and Ballina which was made by Senator Michelle Mulherin.
Senator Mulherin said she was ‘delighted’ with the Minister’s approach believing that it ‘recognises the urgency of the issue’.
However, speaking to The Mayo News about flood defences in Crossmolina, Cllr Loftus said people are ‘fed up’ waiting for Minister Moran to make an announcement.
“Whether it’s the bypass route channelling water into the lake or building walls in the town, we’re fed up with Michelle (Mulherin), Dara (Calleary) and ‘Boxer’ (Moran) huffing and puffing. We want someone to start it,” said Cllr Loftus.
Cllr Loftus said the community are in fear of a possible flood again in the future, especially after Hurricane Ophelia and Storm Brian which the town escaped without flooding.
Senator Mulherin also outlined the issue of the community being fearful of flooding.
“I had asked that the minister be invited into the Chamber on account of concerns as to how long the process was taking. Every time there is heavy rain or a weather alert warning residents and businesses are very anxious and live in fear of mass flooding again.”
She added that in relation to flood defences for Crossmolina, funding was not the issue.
“ The Government has already made an allocation of funding since September 2015 in the 2016 - 2021 Capital Investment Programme of €430m for Flood Defences.”
Cllr Loftus was also of the opinion that funding was not the issue with the delay, but believes that OPW consultants have not been pressed for a decision on flood defence measures.
Cllr Loftus said he believes that if an announcement was not delayed, work could commence at the end of 2019.

‘Pushed back’
“When the announcement is being pushed back everything is being pushed back. I have asked for Mayo County Council to write to the OPW to push them to make a decision,” said Loftus.
Cllr Loftus gave credit to Mayo County Council staff during the latest weather warnings for the country and said the community were ‘prepared as much as we could be’.
Senator Mulherin said she understood that a finalisation of the Environmental Impact Statement and the Natura Impact Statement were taking place and an outline design for the proposed channel above Crossmolina town.
She added: “It is expected that the planning process and public consultation pursuant to the Arterial Drainage Acts will proceed in the first quarter of 2018 which is very welcome news.”
Ballina flood defences
In relation to the Ballina area, Senator Mulherin outlined that an in-depth scientific study was undertaken by the OPW in conjunction with consultants under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management(CFRAM) Programme.
She explained that following this process there is now a CFRAM Flood Risk Management Plan for the town which is ‘cost beneficial’ and will therefore be considered for funding.
“The issue of funding for flood defences for Ballina which in particular would involve the construction of flood walls either side of the river will be considered along with other CFRAM schemes in the New Year,” said the senator.