Time to focus on flooding issues

With a number of status yellow rain warnings issued in recent days and weeks, it’s little surprise that issues of flooding surfaced at the October meeting of the Bailieborough Cootehill Municipal District Authority.

Fine Gael Councillor Val Smith anticipated that flooding is going to be a major issue in the coming months, particularly on the L2023 at Caulfield.

He flagged the issue earlier this year but said, due to an improvement in weather conditions, the problem had not been addressed.

In the area of Caulfield, Cllr Smith contends horrendous flooding is threatening to repeat itself if something is not done about it soon.

“Someone has to be responsible,” he says, explaining how, when the flood occurs, school buses and those commuting to work “won’t be able to go through”.

“It’s going to be a big, big issue. We all know it needs it, I just want an idea of when it’s going to be done,” he asked the council executive.

Fianna Fáil’s Aiden Fitzpatrick weighed in on the debate. “I have to agree,” he stated, adding he is “fed up looking” for work to be done in areas prone to flooding.

“I understand it will be November or December” before the council turns its focus to areas of flooding, claimed the Cootehill man.

“I just hope a huge amount of work is done then.”

In response, acting senior executive engineer, Clinton Mulligan, said: “We hear you and we agree.”

“Our roadworks programme is extensive,” he remarked, explaining that between the months of March and October the council’s attention moves to the maintenance of the roads.

In the case of Caulfield, a “private drain is blocked”, which is causing the flood.

“It’s not fair to say we’re not doing anything,” continued Mr Mulligan.

Acknowledging that is the case, Cllr Smith responded: “Try telling that to the local people!”