A Menlo boating enthusaist who has used the waterways for seventy years has said that the problem with Claregalway flooding emanates in the city’s canals.
Experienced boating enthusiast Sean Creaven has a vast knowledge of the outlets and inlets surrounding Galway city and its environs, having used the waterways since 1936 and he believes that the majority of the problems facing Galwegians originate in the city.
He states that a number of people “ had only managed to return to their homes within the past couple of weeks”. He says one person he knows “would not be back in his home for two more weeks,” adding, ” I know the rainfall levels were unprecedented and we may never see the likes of it again, but it is clear that there are problems which need to be addressed”.
“I believe that most of the problem lies in Galway city. The Creek River dried up and ceased to function due to the Corrib drainage when the level of the Corrib was lowered over four and a half feet in the early 1950s. The canals in the city are at least 75 per cent blocked and the current or water-flow is severely restricted as a result”.
Mr Creaven says “ It is only in the past 30 years that the flow in the canals started to slow down. It would take very little to remedy this situation and would immediately reduce the risk of further flooding in Claregalway and the other affected areas”.
Deputy Noel Grealish says that there was previously a commitment by Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers and the OPW that the overall report would be ready by the first week in June, but this commitment was subsequently delayed by two weeks due to flooding during the Easter period.
Deputy Grealish says he will voice the concerns of Mr Creaven and other local residents and landowners when he meets with Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers later this week, and he intends to ensure that the report is published as soon as possible and that remedial action is taken as a matter of urgency. He adds, “ I will ensure that it is acted on immediately, and that it won’t be left on some shelf gathering dust”.
Deputy Grealish says that the report will address recent flooding and high water levels of almost two feet at Kiltrogue Bridge and Claregalway Bridge, and will contain a detailed analysis of the remedial work required. “It will identify the blockages and the problems of the River Clare to ensure that this problem does not happen again”, he says.
