Dredging of the River Shannon has finally gotten the go-ahead with hope that work can take place at some point next year, local Independent Deputy Kevin 'Boxer' Moran confirmed late last week.
The decision was announced last Friday morning (December 9 ) in a statement released by the Shannon Flood Risk Agency Co-ordination Working Group. The group, which is led by the Office of Public Works, said it considers maintenance works on the Shannon to be essential to halt the deterioration of the river channel. It will now work to develop a strategic maintenance programme to manage the river moving forward.
The group will be addressing all of the legal, environmental, technical, and other considerations that arise in relation to the proposed maintenance, and intends to bring together all relevant stakeholders to discuss, initiate, and manage the development of this programme.
“This is very positive news and comes on top of the decisions to trial the lowering of the lake levels in Lough Allen to help mitigate potential flood risk for this winter and to evaluate the benefits from any short and medium-term programme of localised dredging and any future piloting to remove some pinch points along the Shannon,” Deputy Moran said.
Mayor of Athlone, John Dolan, has greeted the news with cautious optimism: "I welcome the move, it is something I have been advocating for a long time, but there are a few little details missing from the announcement," he said. "There are a number of steps that need to be taken even when the will is there to do it. That involves getting funding and licences, and they need to be applied for as soon as possible because they take time to get.
"It is a welcome move and I am delighted to see that at long last a bit of common sense has come into play, but I just want to see more detail as I think the announcement was missing that."
Mayor Dolan's sentiment was echoed by Fianna Fáil's Aengus O'Rourke: "I welcome any measure that advances the cause of mitigating the risk of flooding," he said. "If that includes dredging, I absolutely support and welcome it. Particularly for those in rural parts who have not been as well catered for by recent announcements in relation to flood relief works and funding, I think this will certainly come as welcome news to them.
"But to be honest, I will believe it when I see it. That is not to pour cold water on the news in any way, but I am sure the closer we come to the day to dredge, you will have certain groups jumping up and down, and we need to be prepared for that."
