Flood-hit residents get driveways back

Three months after five homes were cut off by flooding, residents in Ballycar in Co Clare can again drive into their own driveways.

The homes, one of which had to be vacated, had been left inaccessible by road since the St Bridget’s Day storm on February 1, but water levels have now dropped considerably.

For more than 90 days residents had to trek across fields and neighbours’ properties to reach a dry stretch of road. Locals had to park some distance from their homes depending on the goodwill of other neighbours.

The front garden of one house was designated as a helicopter landing site in the event of a medical emergency while fire fighting equipment was stored in another family’s garage so that fire crews would have prompt access if there was a blaze.

It was the third time in less six years that locals in the area suffered similar problems as a result of flooding of Ballycar Lough.

Following serious flooding in 2009, the council marked the road with the intention of raising it above the flood lever, however, this work was not carried because of a lack of funding.

Clare County Council has again committed to resolving the problem “as soon as possible”.

Council workers visited the area yesterday and cleaned up debris left behind by flood waters. Some minor repairs were also carried out to the road.

A local authority spokesman said that once water levels in Ballycar drop back to allow a full examination of the site fully it would carry out such an assessment — “I expect that this will be the case shortly.”

“The proposal, ultimately, will probably involve raising the road to a level which would facilitate access to all properties via public road in the event that such a flooding situation arises in future. Once the scope is defined, works will be scheduled for later this year (as soon as possible),” he said.

The council said it has secured an allocation from the Department of Transport to cover the cost.

Local resident Brian Keogh said: “It’s a start anyway to see the road swept and some repairs carried out, but the council has to step up this time and fulfil its commitment to sort this problem once and for all.”