Flood risk to coast studied
EFFORT TO BRING RELIEF TO AREA
Wednesday May 20 2009
A MAJOR study of flood risk on the Fingal Coast will bring relief to areas of old Portmarnock and Kinsealy Lane that experienced flooding last summer but the council is also carrying out work to relieve the problem in the meantime.
To address this issue the council has appointed consultants to carry out a catchment-based flood risk assessment and management study of the area.
It is anticipated that flood risk maps will be available later this year, as part of this study and that a comprehensive study report will be available in 2010. Answering questions from Cllr Eoghan O'Brien (FF) and Cllr Peter Coyle (Lab), on the issue, the council said that during the August 2008 flooding events in the old Portmarnock and Kinsealy areas, two houses on the small laneway opposite the Floraville Pumping Station were flooded internally.
But the council says it is not aware of claims of flooding of the old house at the junction of Drumnigh Road and Chapel Road but admits it has flooded in the past. Drainage operations workers from the council subsequently carried out works on the Sluice River from the Kinsealy Bridge (opposite Kinsealy Business Park) to a point approximately 380 metres downstream. The aim of the work was to provide a clear channel for rainwater from the road into the river thereby reducing the flow of water along the roadway. This work was not flood alleviation but minor works to assist the flow of water off the road (Kinsealy Lane). The work included the cleaning the river, the removal of any overhanging brambles or branches, cleaning under the bridge and the provision of new drainage channels from the road along Kinsealy Lane into the river.
The council says the benefit of this work is 'very dependent' on the river down stream being able to flow freely.
The council said: 'It is important to recognise the responsibility rests with landowners to maintain rivers and streams running through their lands and in this regard the Tra n s p o r t a t i o n Department have been requested to serve scour notices on landowners to ensure that they carry out any necessary works.'
- John MANNING
