Flooding works in Dunmanway hampered by  endangered freshwater pearl mussel

Lorries slowly making their way through the badly flooded and virtually impassable roads after the Bandon river overflowed at Ardcahan Bridge north of Dunmanway. Picture: Richard Mills

The endangered freshwater pearl mussel is proving a major stumbling block to preventing repeated flooding on a section of road that is the most used route for West Cork motorists travelling to and from Cork City.

The road at Ardcahan Bridge, Dunmanway, floods several times a year and motorists have had to be rescued after underestimating the depth of the water.