Ring announces funding for Carrowholly flood protection

Anton McNulty

THE allocation of over €350,000 for flood mitigation works and a coastal protection scheme at Carrowholly has been welcomed by local Minister Michael Ring.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development announced that €358,787 has been allocated by the Government for flood mitigation works and a coastal protection scheme at Carrowholly. The works will consist of the addition of embankments to the existing flood defences and associated works.
“This news will give great assurance to the local community in Carrowholly and is wonderful news for them. I look forward to seeing these flood prevention measures in place and I call on Mayo County Council to ensure that the work is carried our without delay.
“Carrowholly has experienced significant flood damage in the past as a consequence of severe weather events and I believe these works can help bring an end to that situation. I would like to commend the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran for allocating this funding. In doing so he has recognised the seriousness of the flooding threat facing the local community, an issue I have highlighted with him,” Minister Ring said.
Local councillors were informed at last month’s meeting of the West Mayo Municipal District that proposed plans to develop flood defences has been granted funding by the Office of Public Works (OPW) with environmental assessments to take place this month. Fourteen properties were identified to be at risk of flooding in a one in 200 year flood event and defensive barriers will be built around these properties.
Independent councillor Christy Hyland welcomed the funding announced by Minister Ring and called on the OPW and Mayo County Council to get on with the work.
“It is time the executives of the OPW and Mayo County Council knocked their heads together and get on with the job.
“It is five years this month since the flooding occurred and it is a disgrace that nothing has been done. It is an absolute embarrassment and disgrace that it is taking this long. It does not show the state agencies in a good light,” he said.