Council to examine flood defence system for Athlone

Athlone Town Council and the Office of Public Works are to set to examine the feasibility of a flood defence system for vulnerable areas in the town. At Monday's monthly meeting of the council, a statement issued by Director of Services Barry Kehoe referred to the need for flood defences in certain areas. "This record flooding incident has highlighted the need for flood defences in vulnerable areas of the town," the statement read. "The council will carry out a study of this flood and its impact and will work with the Office of Public Works to determine the feasibility of flood defences. The process will commence in January 2010." During the meeting, a number of councillors referred to possibility of measures being taken to prevent serious flooding of this nature from recurring. County Manager Danny McLoughlin stated that there needed to be "a healthy debate at national level" on the recent flooding. He said that some flood protection measures might be achievable but added that the recent floods had been caused by "extreme rainfall" which was "a one in every 200 years occurrence". Cllr Gabrielle McFadden asked about the possibility of creating a flood barrier at the back of Deerpark Road in order to help protect the areas of Deerpark Road and Parnell Square from further flooding. Mr Kehoe replied that a flood barrier for Deerpark Road "may be part of a solution but is something that would have to be looked at in very great detail". Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said that the council should set up its own committee, headed by Town Engineer Alan Kelly, to investigate flood protection. The County Manager, Mr McLoughlin, replied that there might be "isolated pockets" where a permanent solution could be put in place, but suggested that other areas of "open country" near the River Shannon would always be vulnerable. He said the council could "put together a package of what we believe to be worthwhile measures" and seek approval for them from the Department. Cllr Sheila Buckley Byrne said it was "a worry for Athlone" that Environment Minister John Gormley had not given any response to the suggestion that a single authority be created for the maintenance of the River Shannon. Athlone Mayor Cllr Mark Cooney also said that the need for such an authority was "something that we have to start looking at as soon as possible".