Emergency overflow pipe gets go-ahead to tackle flooding at Lough Funshinagh
Residents who have been battling flooding in the vicinity of Lough Funshinagh in South Roscommon have received a boost with news that an overflow pipe from the lake to the River Shannon should be in place in advance of next winter.
The Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed that it will supply the resources required to help install the emergency pipe "without delay" in the locality.
Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan issued a statement late last night saying he was supporting Roscommon County Council's planned emergency intervention to stop the immediate risk of flooding which Lough Funshinagh's high water table posed to properties and public roads in and around the area.
Roscommon council CEO Eugene Cummins this week wrote to the Minister seeking the assistance of the OPW in carrying out urgent works to install an emergency overflow pipe from the lake, or turlough, to the Shannon.
Speaking to Mr Cummins yesterday evening, the Minister reiterated his support for the course of action taken by the council and assured him that the OPW would assist.
"I want to reassure Roscommon County Council and the local community at Lough Funshinagh that we stand by you and that we will assist you with the emergency works required to protect properties and public roads," he said.
"I promised full Government support in January to Roscommon County Council to help avert damage from potential flood victims, and, having received the urgent appeal for assistance today, I have instructed the OPW to provide whatever resources are required in terms of labour or equipment to facilitate the Council’s preventive flood mitigation works."
The OPW and Roscommon County Council will now be collaborating to deliver these emergency works.
Homes and land in the vicinity of Lough Funshinagh have been badly affected by flooding for several years now, and the council said its decision to intervene was prompted by recent reports and a Hydrological Update on Lough Funshinagh which predicted that flooding levels next winter would exceed previous records and would pose a risk to life if temporary interventions such as continuous defensive pumping and the raising of public roads should fail.
It's hoped that with construction of the overflow pipe now getting underway, it will be in use lower the water level of the lake in advance of the coming winter.