Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran TD opens the Public Exhibition for the River Deel (Crossmolina) Certified Drainage Scheme

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, today launched the Public Exhibition for the River Deel (Crossmolina) Certified Drainage Scheme, in the Town Hall, in Crossmolina, Co Mayo.

The town of Crossmolina, Co Mayo, lies on the River Deel. Crossmolina town has a history of flooding, with a series of flood events over the last numbers of years. The most significant floods occurred in October 1989, December 2006 and December 2015.

The Minister said:

“The residents of Crossmolina have seen, first hand, the devastation and loss that flooding can cause to people and their property. I am delighted to be here today to launch the proposed design for the Crossmolina Scheme which will involve investment of €13.5 million in the town and which will provide flood protection to 116 properties."

The proposed design for the Crossmolina Scheme will be on public exhibition until 22 June and it includes the construction of a diversion channel upstream of the town, which will take large flows directly to an outflow point, creating temporary washlands which will empty directly into Lough Conn, the installation of a weir and spillway, works to bridges, a new road system for Mullenmore area and a warning system.

The Minister went on to say:

“This formal statutory consultation process which is commencing today is very important and all observations from the public and interested stakeholders will be considered and responded to. Following this consultation, the detailed design of the Scheme will be progressed and the completed design will be submitted to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for formal approval under the Arterial Drainage Act. Subject to confirmation of formal approval, it is envisaged that construction will start in mid-2019."

The Minister concluded:

“I also want to take the opportunity today to commend the great work that has been done by Mayo County Council and the local Flood Action Group working with the OPW in implementing the Crossmolina Individual Property Protection Scheme. The OPW has provided the funding for this project which is providing to date interim protection to almost 70 properties. This creative project is to provide some protection to properties at risk of flooding until the main Crossmolina Scheme is completed."

ENDS

For further information please contact OPW Client Services and Communications at 046 94 26517 or opwcsc@opw.ie

Photography from the event will be available from Henry Wills bhwills@eircom.net

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