Huge relief in Crossmolina as flood scheme gets underway

Nine years on from devastating floods that ravaged Crossmolina, the town's flood relief scheme is finally underway.

Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal Donohue signed an order to approve the scheme at the beginning of September. Twelve weeks were allowed for the lodgement of any appeals or objections, but this period passed last Tuesday with no submissions made, so the work can now commence.

The expiration of the appeal period fell almost nine years to the day that the River Deel burst its banks during Storm Desmond and caused widespread devastation within the town, causing millions of euros worth of damage.

The scheme, which will cost around €13.5 million, has commenced in the last few days.

Machinery from the Office of Public Works (OPW) has been on-site in Crossmolina to get the works underway.

The scheme will protect 116 properties in the town that have been repeatedly subject to flood risk, putting personal safety and livelihoods at risk.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus told the Western People it was a fantastic day for the town of Crossmolina and he is looking forward to seeing the works progress in the months and years ahead.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary also welcomed the news that works would be commencing immediately and thanked Cllr Loftus for his ongoing input into the delivery of the flood relief scheme.

The scheme was subject to a number of delays over the years, owing to a series of environmental assessments that needed to be conducted prior to ministerial consent being given.

However, the town remains braced in the event of a serious flood incident before extensive flood relief works can be carried out.

A simulated flood exercise will take place today (December 10) to test emergency flood defence plans. Sandbags will be deployed and teams will be assigned to each of the town's streets to assist with the operation.