Minister Charlie Flanagan has met with Minister of State Kevin Moran to discuss a series of flood relief measures for Mountmellick and Portarlington.
In a statement, Minister Flanagan said: “In the immediate aftermath of the severe flooding incidents, I met with Minister of State Mr Kevin Moran to devise a plan to deal with the issues in these towns and to put in place a long term solution to ensure that flooding of this magnitude does not occur again in these areas.
Both Mountmellick and Portarlington have been subject to severe flooding over the years due to their close proximity to rivers.
Minister Flanagan added that he invited Minister Moran to Mountmellick to see the flooding devastation for himself.
“An enormous trail of destruction and heart ache was visible in this part of the county, which saw the worst floods ever in my memory in Clonaslee, Mountmellick and Portarlington.”
“At my invitation, Minister Moran visited Mountmellick in the aftermath of the flooding to see the devastation first hand.”
Flood relief measures
“For many years, I have made calls for flood relief measures to be installed in these towns. In June 2017, I was happy to secure €55,000 in funding to carry out works on the River Nore which involves cleaning of archways from the New Bridge at Cloncough to Knapton Bridge.”
“Following recent consultations, the CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) programme has examined flood risk in the towns of Mountmellick and Portarlington. It has identified proposed feasible measures to protect properties assessed as being at risk.
“These measures will be set out in Flood Risk Management Plans which are currently being finalised for publication in early 2018.”
The proposed measures for Mountmellick and Portarlington would protect at risk properties by a series of hard defences consisting of flood embankments and walls.
“When the Flood Management Plans is published, it will provide further details on the proposed schemes including preliminary designs and exact locations within the communities involved.”
Minister Flanagan concluded: “I have stressed to Minister Moran and OPW Officials that they must consult with communities in Mountmellick and Portarlington to ensure that local knowledge, views and concerns in relation to flood risk are taken on board.”
“I have been assured by Minister Moran & his Department that necessary resources will be provided to ensure these works are carried out.”
SEE ALSO – Three men caught trying to break into house in Portarlington
