"Considerable progress" on Retreat Road flood relief works

Westmeath County Council is "devising a workable solution" for flood relief works on Retreat Road with "considerable progress" towards a solution expected to be delivered in 2026.

At the monthly meeting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District (AMMD), Independent Cllr John Gibbons questioned if the local authority had made progress to address significant flooding issues at the location.

Originally raising the issue at the November meeting of the AMMD, Cllr Gibbons said "funding options for the extension of the main drainage scheme to alleviate serious flooding in the Retreat Road area must be considered".

"In spells of heavy and persistent rain there is fairly significant flooding on the Retreat Road, at times causing damage to properties in the locality. Drainage works appear to be taking place throughout Athlone, so why can't the flooding issue on Retreat Road be addressed? Maybe we could approach the OPW for the relevant funding?," Cllr Gibbons said.

Cllr Gibbons was supported at the November meeting by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke who said the "serious flooding issue had never received the prioritisation it deserves".

The Council executive confirmed that "considerable progress towards a solution will occur in 2026".

"One such option being considered to progress flood relief works included attenuation and raingardens. Once a working design concept is confirmed, funding will be sought for project delivery. Uisce Éireann is committed to co-funding an approved solution," the Council executive stated.