Opening and closing of the gates of the Salmon Weir Bridge is a major reason why the River Clare’s levels have risen rapidly and caused flooding in Lisheenavalla and Caherlea.
This is the view of Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish. He said the opening and closing of the gates, alongside the recent heavy rains, has resulted in the flooding in areas where people had only just returned to their homes, following last winter’s devastating floods.
As a result Dep Grealish has organised a meeting between the OPW and Carnmore, Lisheenavalla, and Ardskeaghmore residents in the Arches Bar, Claregalway, on Friday April 23 at 2.30pm.
The meeting will discuss the opening and closing of the gates at the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway city and the effect this is having on the level of the Clare River and the flooding of the surrounding area.
“The OPW must give strong assurances to the people, particularly those whose homes flooded last year, that all of the gates at the Salmon Weir Bridge will be opened when heavy rain is forecast,” said Dep Grealish.
He will also be requesting a monitoring system is put in place to ensure the level of the River Clare is kept at a stable and manageable rate, that an adequate number of gates are opened during periods of heavy rain, and that rapid increases in the level of the river do not happen again.
