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Ballinasloe flood defence wall is not enough, says local businessman

Wednesday, 28 July 2010

THE CONSTRUCTION of a flood defence wall in Derrymullen is not going far enough to protect his business from flooding, businessman Joe Murray says.
Ballinasloe Town Councillors discussed a plan to construct a flood defence system at its meeting on Thursday.
“If they put a good man on the river, ?2,000 a week," Joe Murray says, "the problem would be solved."
However, he says reports and studies don't solve what is a man-made problem.
Joe's grandfather started the Murray family hardware business, in 1884. In 1898 the current location alongside the River Suck was purchased. The 125-year-old business has seen much over the years, Joe says. It specialises in selling animal feed, fertilisers, general hardware and is also the largest wool merchant in the East Galway/South Roscommon region. Joe believes it is that lengthy history in the community that is enabling it survive the 2009 flooding and its impacts. Most customers have returned and Joe his grateful for their support.
Almost eight months since the devastating flood and the nine days of free-flowing water through his business that washed tons of fertiliser into the Suck and beyond, and destroyed bales of expensive sheep's wool at his premises, Joe continues to await an insurance payout.
“We lost about ?200,000. We've only got as much money to clean up the place," he said. "It was never flooded. It's the development that's been done in the town."
Floodgates also not helping
Floodgates installed around 1995 are also not helping. Joe Murray says they can't be opened during flooding which would alleviate the problem.
The 11-page report discussed by the council on Thursday details the plan for the construction of the wall and the impact it will have on local wildlife and vegetation.
The Office of Public Works has concluded the wall and embankment will not restrict the river flow, and the removal of this area from the floodplain would not lead to a significant displacement of flood water or increase in flow. The report also proposes to restore lost capacity to the Ballinasloe East Bridge.
The proposed wall, made of reinforced concrete and including embankments, would be about 1.19km long and would surround a residential area of approximately 12ha in Derrymullen, on the northwestern fringe of Ballinasloe. The maximum height of the wall being proposed is six- feet. The development is required to protect properties in Ashfield Drive, Willow Park and an Doire Beg, and the R358 road from flooding.
Also present at the meeting were members from the Office of Public Works (OPW) and from Atkins Ireland who acted as consultants in planning and accessing the best plan of defence against flooding.
“ I welcome this for the protection of the housing estates which have been flooded three times since 2000 and we must avail of the opportunity to protect the people," Cllr. Mike Kelly told those present. "But, I have heard all of this before so am I to deduct that the defence system will not have an impact?"
The wall will keep water out of Derrymullen but engineers can't say it's 100% certain, Vincent Hutty of Atkins responded. "The amount of water that Derrymullen can hold is the equivalent to two minutes worth of the flood that lasted for days. It's not going to have an effect upstream at Deerpark river, the water will be at a lower level so it won't transmit anything back to it. It will be the river Suck that will determine the levels of the floods."
It was suggested that the removal of the Slua bridge gates could increase water flow and delay the water remaining in the same location for a shorter duration of time. Vincent Hutty commented that "to deepen the bed of the River may or may not be worth doing. What we want is to get most of the water down through the main bridge."
“We want confirmation that the protection walls will not have adverse reactions to neighbouring properties," Cllr. Walsh said.
Mayor O'Sullivan concurred stating, " we want confirmation that the plan will have a positive impact."
Town clerk Alan Farrell responded, " we have been taking advice from our own engineers as well as the OPW and Atkins and have covered all areas."
Cllr Kelly again stated the importance of protecting the people affected by the flooding, " there are still people who are not back in their houses and whose premiums have gone through the roof, we have to protect these people."
Cllr Grealy added, " to be living in a threatened flooding area is a nightmare and to see an increase in rainfall is a genuine fear."
Cllr Concannon asked the engineers present are there any other similar projects in place in Ireland at the moment to which Vincent Hutty replied, " we have similar plans in place in Mallow and Fermoy which are much bigger constructions. Our project in the Tolka River, Dublin has a similar plan in place and has proved successful."
Plans are set to start at the beginning of September providing there are no objections from residents or landowners.
Wall or no wall, it still doesn't solve Mr Murray's insurance woes.
“They've increased the insurance premium by ?1,000 a year," he said. "They've given us no flood coverage."
Joe is practical. He knows the boarding he put up in his yard during the flooding, helped prevent further damage to the shop indoors. With the winter fast approaching he's not prepared to see his business at risk.
“We'll have to do something about it ourselves," he said. "Put a few pound into something because if we leave it the way it is we'll be flooded."

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