Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has called on the OPW to prioritise the existing request for funding for counter flood measures for Killybegs.
The Donegal Deputy said the recent flooding could have been avoided had the OPW given serious consideration to an existing report into flooding risks in Killybegs and provided the necessary funding for new crossings on the Shore road (R263 ).
To seek any further reports into the flooding which occurred on Wednesday night is simply time wasting when the areas of concern are already highlighted and well known to the relevant authorities, what is lacking is a funding commitment.
Deputy Gallagher said that the Local Authority has confirmed to him that the area which was subject to the recent flooding was already surveyed by the OPW, and the risks were already highlighted to the OPW by the Council and furthermore an application was made for funding to prevent future flooding but no approval was received by the Local Authority.
“This is most regretful and had the necessary approval been given then potentially the flooding could have been prevented in the first instance.
“Having spoken directly with the Minister for Flooding Kevin Boxer Moran, he confirmed to me after a lengthy discussion, to review the C Fram application from Donegal in relation to Killybegs.
“He further committed to explore all possible options with a view to solving the problems of flooding at Killybegs. In addition, he has accepted a request from me to visit the site at his earliest convenience,” said Deputy Gallagher.
Pat the Cope said he is calling on the OPW to immediately approve the necessary funding for a culvert replacement on the R263 as already identified in their own national survey of flooding prevention and the C Fram data is already lodged with them in the Department.
He said this measure would immediately alleviate flooding in the bridge street area and to further provide clearance of the water course and storm channels in that area.
“I am also seeking the local authority to co-ordinate a meeting with all relevant parties to deal with the flooding at Fintra National School area in order to prevent any further flooding in that area. The flooding in the Killybegs area could have been easily prevented or better managed had the Department and OPW worked on the existing data and applications at their disposal.
“I wish to compliment the local authority workers, the coast guard and the many volunteers who worked throughout the flooding in order to protect properties and manage the situation on the night of the flooding. It is clearly time now that the state stood up to the mark and provided the necessary funding and measures to prevent such events occurring again in the future,” concluded Pat the Cope.
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