Home owners in South Galway are livid at what they believe were attempts to fill in a trench dug to alleviate flooding in an area of the county still picking up the pieces after devastation.
Residents in Cahermore, Labane and Gort rely on this trench to take flood waters away from their homes – and they were stunned to see diggers on site this week.
Galway County Council has said that it only wanted to carry out remedial work on the trench – not close it.
But local Deputy Anne Rabbitte claimed that the diggers arrived on site in Cahermore to reverse the work carried out in the aftermath of a number of winter storms.
The trench removed millions of gallons of water and allowed it flow into the sea at Kinvara.
Deputy Rabbitte did agree the Council could close the trench – but only if it provides underground pipes to take the flood waters again next winter.
The Council insisted it did not intend to fill in the existing trench at this point in time.
But County Secretary Michael Owens told The Connacht Tribune that the Council does propose to make the channel safe with work on the side slopes and fencing.
“Galway County Council are currently in discussions with the Office of Public Works on potential solutions and proposals for this area.
“When we have considered the issues we will bring forward proposals for this area and work with local stakeholders on delivering these proposals,” Mr Owens added.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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