OPW to fast track Clon’s flood works

The OPW is to fast track flood relief work in the Clonakilty area with a public consultation process likely to take place in the West Cork town within the next six weeks.

County engineer Noel O’Keeffe confirmed yesterday he had received an assurance from the state agency it would “accelerate” the project.

Members of the county council’s Western Committee were told by Mr O’Keeffe he was hopeful the project, costing up to €7m, would commence as early as 2014.

However, he admitted that flood prevention works would involve “delicate design” as tidal issues were also involved.

Meanwhile, it emerged the Department of Transport is allowing the county council to draw down €1m from next year’s road restoration fund to repair flood-damaged roads in the area.

Senior engineer John Donegan said 50 roads in the Clonakilty area suffered various degrees of damage in the Jun 28 flood.

Among those, 15 had to be closed. Major structural damage was caused to four bridges or culverts at Carhoo/Spingmount, Carrigroe, Red Strand and Crohane which will all require replacement.

Mr Donegan said repairs were totally completed on nine roads and almost completed on 36 roads. Works are to commence on the remaining roads shortly.

He said a subsequent flood on Aug 28 damaged a further three roads which were not affected by the Jun 28 flooding.

At Rathbarry, he said remedial works have included removal of debris from the road and river, road re-instatement and the placing of rock armour along the river where banks had washed it away.

It is anticipated the badly damaged road in the village will reopen within three weeks.

Cllr Donal O’Rourke said it was imperative the OPW proceeded with the flood relief work as soon as possible. “The August flood terrified people. Obviously, we’re talking about a medium-to long-term project but I welcome it being accelerated,” he said.

Cllr Noel O’Driscoll (FG) said householders and businesspeople in Clonakilty were putting sandbags in place every evening. “If there’s a shower, people are running around in a very agitated state,” he said.

Cllr Danny Crowley (FF) expressed concern the drawing down of money from the council’s road restoration allocation for next year would leave it with €1m less in 2013. He maintained the Government should fund repair works and not leave it to the cash-strapped local authority.

Meanwhile, assistant county manager James Fogarty told Cllr Dermot Sheehan (FG) the council had enough workmen and machinery to carry out a prioritised road drainage project in the region in advance of winter.