Council asked to do more to alleviate flooding problems

Cavan County Council is being asked to allocate more ground staff to tasks such as clearing gullies and drains in the hope that it might alleviate the impact of recent flooding across the county.

“It’s not going to solve the whole problem,” accepted Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty, who stated it had been brought to his attention that many roadside gullies were “full of leaves”.

During recent heavy rains council staff attended incidents at the N3 at Killygarry, the N3 at Pollamore, the R212 at Cathedral Road and Cullies, between Drumalee cross and the Conaty Centre.

They also attended another incident on the N54 at Leggykelly.

Six houses in the Gortnakesh area meanwhile flooded, and MD staff were in “constant contact” with residents as they implemented temporary mitigation measures. They were also said to be investigating other preventative measures.

Seventeen flooding incidents were reported in the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District, and in the Cootehill-Bailieborough MD, Roads affected included the R191 Tonyhull and Dernakesh, R188 Corranure, L-5555 Ballyhaise, L-1503 Drumeena, L-7600 Lismagiril.

Cavan County Council as the lead authority, in partnership with the Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently advancing with the Cavan Town Flood Relief Scheme, and has commissioned Byrne Looby Consulting Engineers, to develop and implement a scheme for Cavan Town.

This Project will be delivered over five stages with works on Stage one, the Identification and Development of a Preferred Scheme, having commenced in June 2022.

With regards to the cleaning of gullies, Director of Services Paddy Connaughton responded to councillors at the November monthly meeting of elected representatives. He said it is “something we’ll have a look at”.