Route of permanent Lough Funshinagh flood solution to be unveiled at Athlone event on Monday
The preferred route option for the permanent solution to flooding at Lough Funshinagh in South Roscommon is due to be unveiled at a public consultation event in Athlone's Hodson Bay Hotel this coming Monday (April 28).
Back in January, an initial consultation event for the permanent flood relief scheme was held at the same venue, and outlined seven potential options for bringing a permanent end to the flooding crisis that has persisted in the area for several years.
Roscommon County Council has now advertised a second public consultation event on what's formally described as the Lough Funshinagh Climate Adaptation Project.
The event will take place from 3pm to 8pm on Monday, and will outline the preferred route option for the scheme.
"The meeting is open to all members of the public where representatives from the project team and Roscommon County Council will be in attendance," stated the local authority.
Submissions from the public on the preferred route option can be accepted at the event in the Hodson Bay Hotel, or from Monday, April 28 until Wednesday, May 28, at http://consult.roscommoncoco.ie
Local Independent councillor Laurence Fallon encouraged people to attend Monday event to find out more about the proposed scheme.
He expressed his own view that the permanent flood relief scheme should follow the same route as a pipeline from Lough Funshinagh to Lough Ree which began in 2021 but was halted later that year on foot of a High Court action taken by the group Friends of the Irish Environment.
"When there is a route already there, that is partially completed, it would seem, to me, to be logical to continue with that route," said Cllr Fallon.
"But that's my own opinion - people have a right to express their own view on it, and ultimately it will be up to the consultants to determine the route that is most appropriate."
A temporary flood relief system, which involves excess water from Lough Funshinagh being pumped into the Cross River, near Curraghboy, was activated at the end of March but only has permission to operate for two years - hence the planning process currently underway to devise the permanent flooding solution.