Flooding fears raised on Minister’s visit
THE impact of flooding on local homes, shops and communities was raised during a visit by Minister Sean Canny to Louth last week.
The Minister for State at the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief met with local residents and businesspeople in Dundalk, Blackrock and Carlingford to see where flooding has previously occurred, and areas where flooding fears have been raised.
Louth County Councillor, Maria Doyle, explained: ‘When Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited north Louth last November on the invitation of Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick, I raised with him the serious flooding that has occurred in part of Blackrock and Dundalk in recent years.’
‘I’m glad that on foot of this, Deputy Fitzpatrick arranged for Minister Canney to meet with some of those people in our locality who have been affected by the flooding.
He met with residents of Mounthamilton on the Ardee Road, some of whom had their homes flooded on several occasions.’
From there, the Minister travelled to meet some business owners in Blackrock who have experienced extensive flooding of their premises, as well as members of the community including Blackrock Tidy Towns.
‘I hope that by meeting those people that have been affected by flooding in our locality, the Minister will be reminded that it is not just the Shannon region and Cork that have suffered due to flooding,’ said Cllr. Doyle.
‘While I welcome the Cfram project which will eventually see the Government carry out large scale flood prevention works, it is still a very long way off and interim works may be necessary to prevent homes and businesses being damaged by flooding.’
Cllr. Dolye also raised her concerns regarding ‘ the slow progress being made by Louth County Council on constructing a pipe under Hill Street Bridge to drain Balmers Bog and the importance of the maintenance of the sea walls at Blackrock.’