In efforts to alleviate to possibilty of severe flooding in Mountmellick/Rosenallis during the winter months, ongoing river and drain maintenance works have taken place.
A notice of motion at the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District Meeting asked for an update on the river and drain maintenance works for the area.
Councillor Paddy Bracken raised the notice of motion at the municipal district today, Friday September 21.
In a written repsonse, senior engineer Paul McLoughlin answered on works at the; Irishtown bridge, Convent bridge, Owenass river, Clontygar stream, Cloncannon, Clonaheen, the Pound river, Skerry, Rathcoffey and Clonaslee.
Irishtown bridge:
Irishtown bridge on the N80 has had silt and vegetation removed from the eye of the bridge improving capacity and conveyance in the channel.
Convent bridge:
At the Convent bridge on the R422 the third eye has been cleaned and both the upstream and downstream approaches have had vegetation and silt build-up removed.
Owenass river:
Works are ongoing on the stretch of Owenass river between the above mentioned bridges clearing vegetation, silt deposits (above current low water level) with tree/limb cutting to commence this week to remove any potential problem causing impediments in the channel.
Once vegetation is cleared they anticipate that bank repairs will be necessary where slippages that have occurred become evident. Repairs will be undertaken as required.
River bank repaired and trees/obstructions removed on the River Owenass at the Basin.
Clontygar stream:
Cleaning of the Clontygar stream along with a number of feeder drains/streams to the Owenass river and Barrow have taken place with further works planned throughout the remainder of September.
Cloncannon:
Vegetation and tree removal has taken place for several kilometres along the banks of the river Barrow through Cloncannon.
Clonaheen:
Works undertaken in Clonaheen involve tree cutting and vegetation removal in the channel on the Murglash river.
The Pound river:
Mainstenance has commenced on the Pound river to remove vegetation /silting and improve conveyance.
Skerry:
River bank repaired, rock armour placed,alignment of river improved. Scouring issue at bridge has been repaired and parapet walls repaired/rebuilt out at Skerry.
Rathcoffey:
Bank reinstatement, alignment improved at Rathcoffey on the river Barrow. Further removal of river gravel and bank reinstatement/abutment protection required urgently.
Clonaslee:
River cleaning planned on the river Clodiagh in Clonaslee to remove/disperse deposits of river gravel at the bridge and improve conveyance in the channel (awaiting consent of IFI).
Any other business:
Ant fallen trees and potential debris blockages have been removed when observed or upon receipt of notification of same.
SEE ALSO – ‘What we’re building now are ghettos,’ Laois councillor warns of housing crisis
