€1.5 million to sort ‘death trap’ canal

The replacement of rotten lock gates and other works on Eglinton Canal – which experts have warned could otherwise cause flooding or even death – could cost up to €1.5 million, environmentalists have claimed.

City planners have granted planning permission for the dismantling of the gates at Parkavara and the restoration of anchors and walls, as well as replacing the existing gates.

However, local environmental watchdog group An Taisce has warned that the works could cost around €300,000 – and a second set of gates may also need replacing at twice that cost.

The group added that remedial works are required on the canal’s built-up land banks which are leading towards housing – estimated to cost a further €600,000.

Last June, emergency works were carried out on the lock gates to help reduce the risk of flooding. At the same time, engineers carried out an assessment of the gates and found them to be in a “dangerous” condition.

“Sudden collapse of the gates with a consequent torrent of water could happen at any stage. If one gate goes, both will go together.

“Such a sudden collapse and torrent would pose an appreciable risk of injury or even death to persons in the area and downstream,” the engineers’ report reads.

For more on this story and the proposed remediation works, see this week’s Galway City Tribune