Clohaninchy Residents Feeling Fresh ‘Frustration’ Over Lack Of Flood Works Progress

Clohaninchy Photo (c) Clare FM

Residents in an area of Quilty say there is fresh ‘frustration’ over what they say is a lack of progress on flood relief works in the area.

It’s understood three sections of road between Seafield Cross and Clohaninchy remain flooded this morning after significant rainfall there in recent days.

Members of the community there claim work done in the Clancy’s Cross area a number of months back has not improved drainage there, while work on the official Flood Relief Scheme locally has stalled due to a failure to reach agreement with all landowners involved.

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Chairman of the Clohaninchy Action Group, Michael Neenan, is labelling the situation as ‘crazy’.

Listen to the full interview here:

Statement from Clare County Council

‘As always, the Council empathises with anyone whose home or property is at risk during severe weather events and always endeavours to assist where it can. However, not all flood risk can be eliminated or prevented but certainly we try to manage and mitigate its impact.

In relation to Clounahinchy, the Council’s Project Management Office has put in significant effort over the past number of years in trying to find a workable solution to mitigate the risk at this particular location.

Over €300k was spent on emergency embankment works at the shoreline which significantly assisted these properties in the past and further time and money has been incurred in recent years in coming up with an acceptable solution.

It should be pointed out that the lands involved are privately owned and therefore part of the solution is in the gift of the landowners themselves.

The solution approved by the OPW requires access and co-operation from all of the affected landowners in the area but unfortunately and despite the Council’s best efforts, agreement has not been forthcoming.

Unfortunately, there is nothing further that the Council or the OPW can do in this matter without the required lands being made available.

It is acknowledged that a number of the landowners have agreed to the works required and we thank them for their co-operation in same but unfortunately, the proposed scheme requires all parties’ agreement for it to work.

We have met with the affected landowners and their representatives on many occasions but until we have full agreement from their side, there is nothing more that the Council can do.

A further concern that now arises is what consequence hyper inflation in the construction industry might have.

OPW funding is based and limited on a cost to value ratio which is relatively low given that the properties at risk are privately owned houses.

If the construction costs increase significantly, then the cost to value criteria may not be achieved and the funding may not be available.

In terms of day-to-day assistance during bad weather, the Council’s Area Staff remain vigilant to flood risk throughout their areas and deal with flooding issues as they arise and within their capabilities in terms of resources and funding.’