Residents in Clohaninchy say they’re in ‘total panic’ about the impact future storms may have on the West Clare community.
The area was hit hard by severe weather events nearly a decade ago, though while temporary solutions have been erected by the local authority since, no permanent solution has yet been found.
The West Clare area was significantly impacted by Storm Barra this week, though damage wasn’t as bad as first feared.
Clare County Council says it shares the frustrations with residents but that without all landowners giving consent, permanent works that have already been granted planning permission cannot proceed.
Chairman of the Clohaninchy Action Group, Michael Neenan, says while they felt well supported by the Council, residents still feel frustrated.
Senior Engineer, Project Management Office, Clare County Council, Sean Lenihan has told Clare Fm that he is equally frustrated at the delay in delivering this project however it is outside of our control. We all remember the devastation caused there after the storms in 2014 following which the Council installed over €300,000 of rock armour along the coastline which has provided protection to the area since”.
“However, this is not the final solution. We previously carried out a Feasibility Study where a number of options were considered and assessed. The permanent solution identified for there is a relatively narrow embankment of about 1.2m in height over a distance of approximately 300m. The design has taken place and Planning Permission has been obtained. The line of it is roughly halfway between the houses and the shoreline and there are approximately 10 landowners involved”.
Mr Lenihan said he wants to “acknowledge the assistance from most of these but despite the Council’s best efforts, a small number have yet to sign up. I also wish to acknowledge the good work and support from a number of local advocates and elected representatives that have intervened in order to find a resolution. We have advised those affected that without the necessary lands being made available, the scheme cannot progress. It should be noted that there are 4 houses at risk of flooding and while we don’t want to see even one house flood, the reality is that funding is provided on a Cost to Benefit ratio so the margins are extremely tight in this regard”.
“I wish to reiterate the Council’s absolute commitment to finding a solution and putting the necessary infrastructure in place but we do need full cooperation from the landowners in the area. Once all landowners have agreed to give consent to proceed, and subject to OPW approval, the tender process for the appointment of a contractor to carry out the works can proceed. The works are estimated to cost in the order of €500,000 and would take approximately 6 months to complete”.
“In the meantime, ongoing monitoring of the situation there will continue and support as required will be provided to the householders affected by the Area Engineer Alan Kennelly and his crews”, he concluded.
