Following serious incidents of surface flooding at Fr Griffin Road and Newtownsmith last weekend, which saw drains clogged and pedestrians splashed by passing cars, a local councillor has called for action to be taken.
According to Labour city councillor Niall McNelis, drains in both areas were “full and had not been cleaned”. He is now calling for “urgent action” to be taken on the issue, and is asking the Galway City Council, what its policy is on cleaning drains; how often are they cleaned; and if there is a system of reporting in place.
Cllr McNelis, who is also Labour’s Galway West candidate, acknowledged that drains were cleaned in the areas most affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding. However in correspondence with City Hall he pointed out how there has been a history of drains being clogged with leaves and road dirt in Salthill, Claddagh, Knocknacarra, Barna Road, and the city centre.
“Our climate is changing,” said Cllr McNelis. “We need to be prepared for more flooding and large rainfall.”
