Funding wait sparks River Al flooding fears

There are fears that recent flooding could prompt a repeat of the disastrous scenes of 2002 when the River Al burst its banks damaging property in the Willow Park area. The fears come following the continuing absence of funding for a major flood prevention scheme on the River Al. According to Cllr Kevin "Boxer" Moran, council staff are battling regularly to keep the River Al in Athlone flowing freely during this rain-soaked summer to prevent a repeat disaster of the 2002 floods in Willow Park. However, Westmeath County Council cannot carry out the much-needed drainage work on the river, because the government has failed to provide essential funding for the project. Short term remedial work costing €300,000 was carried out in the wake of the November 2002 floods, but the council also requested €4.5 million from the Office of Public Works, to spend on diverting the river and limiting its flow, as part of the Loughandunning Plan. 'There"s no funding, the Department haven"t got back to us,' Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said yesterday (Tuesday). Cllr Moran said that residents in Willow Park were worried that the River Al could overflow again, as even as recently as last Saturday council workers had to remove a 'dam-like' blockage from the river. 'There"s huge concern out there at the moment, partly with the high level of rainfall at this moment in time. There are people who throw rubbish in the river, it builds up. If beds and fridges are thrown in now, it would be a disaster,' he said. 'I would appeal to the public not to throw rubbish in the river. If it overflowed and flooded it"s a disaster for everybody. The last time it flooded in 2002, it was due to the dirt and rubbish of the river, and it"s a credit to the council that they"re working on it regularly to keep it clear.' Hundreds of thousands of euro worth of damage was caused to 80 homes in Willow Park, as up to four feet of water swept through the homes in November 2002 when a restraining culvert on the river was breached. Around 30 families, as well as students, were evacuated and housed in alternative temporary accommodation.