Mixed news for those affected by Belturbet flooding

There was some mixed news this week for residents along the Butlersbridge to Belturbet road, plagued by recurring flooding on the main N3 route at Bunn near Annagh Lake. Residents in the area and those who would regularly travel between Belturbet and Cavan Town have had to divert (via the N54 and the R197 at Gannon's Cross) for weeks now as their route has been totally cut off by flooding. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has commissioned a full hydrological study of the Erne basin area with a view to determining a long-term solution to the problems caused by recurring flooding in the area. Senior engineer with Cavan County Council, Peadar Lafferty, said, however, that this is not expected to be completed until the end of 2015. "There will be public consultation as part of this process. It will provide the information necessary for making informed decisions in managing flood risk within the catchment." Mr Lafferty accepts that flooding has been a real problem in the Bunn area, particularly over the last number of years. However, he said that the new Belturbet-Butlersbridge realignment will not be effected by this flooding and the work includes reinstatement of a sluice valve, which will mitigate future flooding at this particular location. Meanwhile, local councillor Liz McDermott has described the reoccurring flooding as a "serious problem". She said the closure of the road due to flooding is a major inconvenience to local residents and also motorists, who have to take a detour via the Drumalee to Gannon's Cross road. Cllr McDermott also expressed concern that the heavy traffic on that road, as a result of the detour, is damaging the edge of the road, despite it being repaired recently. She added that the road at the Bunn area had been flooded now for the best part of two weeks and she is of the view that there appears to be a drainage problem. She added that if it is a drainage problem, it will have to be addressed, so that this situation does not keep happening in the future. "We need to ensure that all our access roads in and out of Belturbet are passable and we need to encourage people to come into the town," she said. Cllr McDermott says it is important that this road is maintained when the by-pass opens.