Bypass flood warning is slammed as ‘premature’

Date Published: 01-Dec-2009

 THE Galway branch of environmental watchdog group, An Taisce, claimed yesterday that the proposed City Outer Bypass could lead to disastrous flooding in the suburbs of the city – however the claim has been described as “completely premature” by a senior official of Galway City Council.

An Taisce, in a statement issued through its Galway Association Chairman, Derrick Hambleton, called on the Government to set up a specific central Government agency with overall responsibility for managing all civil engineering projects.

Mr Hambleton said that there were “lessons to be learned” from the impact of the new M6 motorway as it passed over the River Suck in Ballinasloe and warned of similar effects if the outer bypass project ever went ahead in the city.

“This new bypass, if ever built, would pass through the flooded village of Menlo, before crossing over the River Corrib to divide and ‘de-water’ the Tonabrocky and Moycullen bog complex.

“We would predict that was this proposed road ever to go ahead, it too could lead to disastrous flooding around, and within, the suburbs of Galway City itself,” said Mr Hambleton.

He also pointed out that over recent years, An Taisce wasn’t the only organisation that warned about the negative effects of so many planning approvals being given for new houses on known flood plains. An Taisce, he said, has also warned consistently about the impacts of climate change in Ireland.

However the Galway City Council Director of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ciaran Hayes, told the Sentinel this week that any comments from An Taisce on this issue were premature.

“The detailed design of a project like this would take into account the geological consequences on the land area and would address any issues raised by An Taisce.

“It is completely premature to make any assumptions at this point, before any detailed road designs have been drawn up, that flooding could be a consequence of such a project,” said Mr Hayes.

See also ‘Residents petition City Council over Menlo flood relief, on page 6 of this week’s Sentinel