Watters calls for flood relief in North Louth

Sinn Féin Councillor Antoin Watters sought an update on flood relief schemes in Bellurgan and Carlingford at December’s Dundalk Municipal District meeting, saying that the recent storm flooding had shown the work needed to be done “as a matter of urgency.”

“There are businesses in Carlingford today who were flooded two years ago and are now flooded again, particularly two pubs that are badly damaged,” he said.

“It's an awful thing for them to suffer again. And I know we are working with the OPW (Office of Public Works) and doing work, and we are looking at drainage works … but again, it's still too little, too late, and these businesses, I don't know how they're going to get back up and go on again before Christmas.

“It's a bit of a mess. And so I'm wondering if we can again put pressure on the OPW regarding the flood relief scheme we're undertaking. I know there is work going on, drains have been cleaned, and surveys done, but there is still drainage that needs to be addressed and new pipes laid.”

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In response, Councillor Watters was told that extensive work has been carried out to clean existing drainage networks, and a proposal for approximately €2.2 million in additional works next year has been submitted to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for financial approval. Once approved, the plan will include installing additional pipelines in the most affected areas.

Regarding Bellurgan, the meeting was informed that the OPW is expected to complete a flood map review in the first quarter of next year and that the council will continue to follow up on progress and will discuss updates with OPW directors in an upcoming meeting.