Public consultation to be held on flood defences in Leitrim this November

A public consultation will take place on November 7 to go through preferred options of flood defences in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Cllr Cormac Flynn urged Leitrim County Council to accelerate the planning process during the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting in October.

“It’s been 15 years since the record floods of 2009 that caused millions of euro of damage, destroyed property, infrastructure, homes and businesses, as well as emotional anguish and anxiety to those affected.

“While we acknowledge that work has been done in monitoring the levels, collation of data, assessment, surveys, modelling, planning and design; we’re now entering another flood season with no major flood defences.

“I ask Leitrim County Council and all parties involved in the delivery of the scheduled works, to expedite the plan which is gathering dust in a virtual file in someone's OneDrive,” Cllr Flynn said.

The initial stage of this plan was launched in 2019, with a target completion date set for 2024.

“I know there’s a lot of moving parts here, but we need to be front and centre to push it on. It needs to be high priority, it’s vitally important for our towns and villages that flood defences are operational,” Cllr Flynn added.

Funding for a new library in Carrick-on-Shannon is top priority for Leitrim County Council

Cllr Maeve Reynolds asked that Leitrim County Council prioritise funding for a new library during Carrick-on-Shannon's Municipal District meeting.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Sean McGowan.

“What I’ve always suggested since the floods in 2009 is that the level of the Shannon should be lowered sufficiently so that there would be no threat to any of our towns and villages,” Cllr Guckian commented.

Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District were told that there will be a workshop on November 7 and public consultation to go through the preferred option of flood defences.

A reply from the Roads department explained that the design team has created a detailed flood model, including surveys of the river network down to Athlone.

They have analysed hydrological data and hydraulic modelling options, with the preferred option expected to be publicly displayed in Q4 2024. 

The Leitrim Village Flood Relief Scheme is also progressing alongside Carrick-on-Shannon Flood Relief Scheme, and will both be submitted for planning approval in Q2 2025.

READ MORE: "A death sentence": Leitrim councillor slams housing conditions in Mohill and Carrick-on-Shannon