Flooding in west Mayo due to issue with uncleaned rivers

AN issue with blocked rivers in the Carrowholly area of Westport, where a major flood relief scheme was recently completed, has been highlighted by Councillor Johnny O'Malley.

The rivers aren't being cleaned, he told a local area meeting. He circulated a photo where, he said, you could barely see the river with bushes.

This, he said, was the main river bringing water out of Rossmindle, but when the tide comes in the water can’t get out.

He had issues too with the Mayour river, which is in the charge of Mayo County Council.

The rivers are in a terrible state, he told officials. In former years they were cleared with a drag and slash hooks. Mayour, is getting worse every year, with farmland flooded.

It made no sense, spending money on flood relief and then the rivers aren't cleaned at all, he said.

Municipal district head Padraig Walsh said there is a limited council budget for drainage on channels which are specified in legislation. There are ecological restrictions that have to be complied with and he suggested the councillor discuss the matter with the engineer in charge.

Councillor O'Malley said it looked 'ridiculous' to see the flooding embankments and then the rivers are full of trees, etc.

Acres of farmland were being flooded each winter. People talked about slurry and fertiliser flowing into rivers but this defeated the purpose of applying these in the correct manner.