Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has said this week that €480,000 funding is being sought to build a flood barrier at Bachelors Walk in Ballina to prevent flooding from the River Moy. The news comes following a meeting of Deputy Mulherin, Junior Minister with Special responsibility for the OPW Simon Harris, and Mayo County Council officials.
She said earlier this week: “Mayo County Council is submitting an application for the funding to the OPW under the Minor Flood Relief Scheme for Bachelor's Walk. This would see a new wall built as a barrier to mitigate against the very real risk of flooding at times of heavy rain and high tides in this area and would cost in the region of €480,000
"The past month has seen residents of Bachelor's Walk, Arbuckle Row, and Ashpool on high alert fearing that the River Moy would break through the river wall and once again flood their homes."
The first term Dáil deputy went on to say: "Thankfully, on this occasion, while the some flood water broke through on to the public road adjoining these houses thanks to the diligence of council workers and the Fire Brigade, using pumps, flooding was kept well away from homes.
"I also want to compliment council workers for the great work on Barrett Street as they tried to protect premises and especially the hotel from flooding. While Ballina is one of the 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Office of Public Works' Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme to establish what flood defences and flood risk management options are required, these plans are not scheduled to be completed until the end of 2016. There is an opportunity to progress flood defences in a more speedy manner for the people of Bachelor's Walk under the Minor Flood Relief Scheme which is what I have suggested previously to the council and which has been endorsed by the Minister. I am delighted the council is taking this proactive approach as opposed to just leaving it to the OPW. This is very welcome news for residents indeed."
