So Big Phil finally published his ‘opus magnus’ yesterday with all the detail on local government reforms including abolition of town councils, levelling of councillor ratios across the country and creation of much bigger wards in Dublin and the commuter belt.
Still trying to digest it all (it’s a big document!) but my first impressions are as follows:
Statement
I have spoken about Killeenmore a few times on this blog recently and how I was disappointed to see them miss out on the first round of funding announced last month for flooding relief works in the local area.
Good news this week as I have kept onto our Dáil reps and the council officials and got word through Deputy Fitzpatrick’s office that Killeenmore will now be granted a flood relief allocation of 20,000 this year, with work due to start in May.
This is badly needed and we will keep a watching brief to ensure delivery.
Funding has now been announced for flood relief works in Kildare and the government has made a multi-million available to local authorities for such works. Funding has been drawn down by Kildare County Council for the following projects:
Minor Flood Relief & Coastal Protection Programme 2010 – Kildare County Council
Total €967,020
I am disappointed to note that Killeenmore, Sallins is omitted also no mention of Johnstown (although this may have been allocated separately as was discussed in detail at council recently). Much work has recently been completed at Kerdiffstown Sallins to address the culvert issue which caused the Waterways flooding but there may need to be additional measures there in time also.
Killeenmore is in most urgent need of flood relief works and I will be asking why the omission.
I attended a meeting last Wednesday night, organised by the residents of Killeenmór to discuss the recent and recurring flooding issues. The meeting was also attended by Cllr. Liam Doyle, Cllr. Brendan Weld and Michael Fitzpatrick (who had to vote in the Dáil) was ably represented by his aide Johnny Callaghan.
The map above shows some the areas affected. The Morrell river flows under the canal and alongside the railway. When it overflows the culverts under railway see it spill over onto nearby fields & houses.
We discussed the root causes which included increased drainage demands from infrastuctural developments ranging from the M7 upgrade to the railway tracks. Some work was done at the time of the motorway upgrade, including upgrading of bridges and some banking of ditches but a lot more is now needed. In a sense the problem is constantly moving downstream as the issues at Johnstown are now manifesting in places like Killeenmór and the neighbouring Turnings townland. The Painestown and Morrell rivers intersect and both join the Liffey eventually.
A comprehensive drainage landscape survey is required and I understand from Deputy Fitzpatrick’s office, that this is underway involving both the Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council. The full course of the Morrell has been walked by officials and a report should be drawn up shortly to see what’s needed.
A report was drawn up some years ago but never implemented, or at least only partially, however I feel the political will is onboard now to make something happen. I will stay close to it and keep the pressure on.