Flooding fears as storm damaged trees block river in Leitrim

Road safety and flooding concerns caused by overgrown foliage and fallen trees were raised at a recent meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District.

Cllr Sean McGowan urged the District Engineer to immediately implement a programme of works to cut back heavy vegetation and foliage at junctions where local roads exit onto busy local and regional roads within the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, citing public safety concerns.

In response, the Council confirmed that a contractor has been engaged to carry out verge trimming and hedge cutting at all regional road junctions. 

The contractor began work on June 30, deploying multiple units and is currently operating across the Carrick Municipal District.

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Cllr McGowan also called on the District Engineer to establish a programme of works to clear trees obstructing the Black River in the townland of Drumshanbo South, Gortletteragh.

“These trees were blown down in the recent storms and are restricting the flow of the river, which in turn, is leading to lands being flooded,” his motion stated.

The outfall from Drumshanbo Lough lies within the Office of Public Works (OPW) district.

The section identified by Cllr McGowan may be included in the 2026 works allocations, subject to landowner agreements and environmental assessments.

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