The torrential rain that fell in Ballina last week prompted renewed demands for action on flooding.
Cllr Fiona Bonfield told Nenagh Municipal District that she received a lot of representations over flooding near the bridge on Wednesday evening. Cllr John Carroll accepted that there is a process underway with the OPW but he said the flooding is “a huge inconvenience” to people in the area. Cllr Séamie Morris also got calls about the flooding. “People are very concerned,” he agreed.
Director Marcus O’Connor said Ballina is experiencing flooding with much greater frequency than any other part of the district. There were four significant flood events in the last year. The existing channels and pipes are not sufficient and are big overwhelmed in times of heavy rain, he said, informing those present that new pipes need to be laid and existing pipes upgraded.
Whereas before Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir suffered, Ballina is now the biggest problem area in the county with regard to flooding. The OPW is working on the situation and the minister has visited the area but a full assessment is required, Mr O’Connor said.