The Office of Public Works (OPW ) is due to commence works at Lough Lannagh, Castlebar, at the end of this week to tackle the problem of weed growth in the lake. The news has been welcomed locally by Labour councillor Harry Barrett who had made representations to the authority to have the works expedited.
According to a spokesperson for Castlebar Town Council the necessary works were due to commence a few weeks ago following the completion of the upper lake. However they were delayed due to staff holidays and the recent dry spell. “Having liaised with the OPW they have indicated that works will now commence towards the end of the week and will continue to completion,” the spokesperson confirmed.
The issue was raised earlier this week by Castlebar town councillor Harry Barrett who had written to the OPW to take immediate action on the weed growth that had exploded on Lough Lannagh in the last number of weeks. Cllr Barrett made his call after a representation from a local environmentalist, concerned about the escalation of the problem.
Cllr Barrett explained: “The current problem with weeds on Lough Lannagh has been allowed to grow out of control. There needs to be a plan put in place to stop this from happening. We will lose that section of the lake if it’s not controlled.”
Earlier in the week Cllr Barrett explained that he had received representations from a local environmentalist who said if the OPW did not act very soon, the weed would envelope the lake to a point where it would close in, become unusable and inaccessible as a waterway.
Cllr Barrett pointed out that Castlebar Town Council and the local community had put in the work to make Lough Lannagh “the jewel in the crown”, in terms of amenity. “The least the OPW can do now is to maintain it.”
