Published: Wednesday, 25th November, 2009 3:14pm

Fitzpatrick slams government over flooding

by Sean McMahon

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The constant closure of the N3 leading into Belturbet on numerous occasions this year as a result of serious accidents and the latest blockage due to extreme flooding at Bunn lake is an absolute disaster, according to outspoken town councillor Seamus Fitzpatrick.

He slammed the government for the abject failure to build the long promised bypass and pointed out that the "total disregard" for the town has been "directly responsible" for nine people being killed on a road that is totally unfit for purpose.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt at the scene of the flooding on the road at Bunn Lake yesterday (Tuesday), a very angry Seamus Fitzpatrick said Belturbet suffering because the through-flow of traffic had been cut off once again.

He explained that if the bypass had been built when it was first mooted, the people of the area would have been driving on a dry road today, instead of being cut off by flood water a metre deep on the N3.

"We in this area are being totally ignored by government and in particular Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for the Environment, Noel Dempsey. Belturbet bypass was supposed to go ahead on three occasions and on each occasion the money was pulled to go elsewhere," said Cllr. Fitzpatrick.

He said there was no problem for the government to find the money to build a bypass in the taoiseach's backyard, adding that the bypass in Offaly was nine months ahead of schedule and on budget.

"Our bypass in Belturbet is nine years behind schedule, has no budget and has not commenced," said the councillor.