An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for flood relief works to be carried out at Shannon Street in Mountrath.
€46,565 in funding was secured by Laois County Council from the Office of Public Works (OPW) last September to carry out flood mitigation works on Shannon Street, Mountrath under the Minor Works Scheme.
This issue has been causing distress and anxiety to many residents and businesses on Shannon Street for years, according to the Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council and local Fine Gael Councillor Conor Bergin in the Borris-In-Ossory/Mountmellick area.
He said: “I have met with and spoken to some of the residents on Shannon Street about their concerns about the ongoing flood risk, which has caused a lot of damage and disruption in Mountrath in recent years.
“Homeowners have informed me that they are living in fear of another flood, which can occur at any time, particularly with inclement weather at the moment.
“Aside from the risk of homes flooding, there is also an ongoing risk of flooding at Mountrath Playground.
“Both myself and local Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan have been working closely on this issue and I greatly welcome the recent decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for the works to proceed.
“I have spoken to Laois County Council and I am anxious that these flood mitigation works are carried out as soon as possible and the new culvert installed before the winter.”
Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley, who only called for this outcome earlier this week, was also pleased with the deicison.
He said: “This application has been with An Bord Pleanála since February 5, 2021, and a decision by them was long overdue.
“I only raised this matter again in the last week directly with the Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála Dave Walsh.
“Both Laois County Council and I received notice today that permission to install an overflow flood culvert from the Stream in Shannon St to the Whitehorse River has been granted.
“This is great news for local residents with approval now granted and the funding available to get these works done.
“This piece of work along with a diversion of storm water and sewer pipe from the Bridge at Patricks St which has also been approved and this will hopefully reduce the risk of local flooding in Mountrath.
“I will be requesting that Laois County Council endeavour get contractors onsite as soon as possible to carry out this important work.”
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