Temporary solution to Lough Funshinagh flooding woes to be submitted for planning

A temporary solution to lower water levels at Lough Funshinagh aims to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the end of next month, the OPW minister told local residents on Thursday afternoon.

The plan, which will be submitted by Roscommon County Council, will see water pumped from the lake through the Curraghboy area to the Cross River.

A meeting between OPW Minister Kieran O’Donnell, the council and local residents took place at Áras An Chontae yesterday evening, giving an update on the situation.

Speaking to the Roscommon Herald following the meeting, Minister O’Donnell said he had huge admiration for the residents. 

“Obviously An Bord Pleanála is independent in its role but we would be looking for that to be expedited because of the time. Subject to the granting of that, we would be able to roll out the temporary solution in a week or two,” he said.

He  went on to say that the permanent solution remained the completion of the three kilometre pipe. The application for this would go to ABP by the end of this year or early next year.

“Subject to this successful planning, Roscommon County Council could go back into court to get the injunction lifted. Two kilometres of this pipe is completed,” he said.

He added that the expert group, which included the National Parks and Wildlife Service, confirmed that the lake, a special area of conservation, was being damaged by the flooding.

In terms of the interim solution, the pumping will be done in a controlled way to prevent the flooding experienced earlier this year in the Curraghboy area, said Mr O’Donnell.

“Roscommon County Council will now consult with landowners and engage with everyone along that route to give that reassurance.

“We fully understand the imposition on landowners but the temporary piping will be along the hinterland. There will be a huge benefit to the wider community for this measure coming in. It will only be in place until such time that the permanent measure is put in place.” He said that water would be pumped downstream in a controlled way.

“It will be in the range of 2.5 kms of piping,” he said. The proposal will immediately work to lower the level of the lake, he added.

“It will not be a system that will be reacting, it will start to pump straight away. It will be done in a controlled way to not cause any issues down stream. We are conscious of people residing and farming in those areas. This is something that we are preparing in a real technical way.” 

The OPW will fund these measures and protections for individual houses, he said, “whatever funding is required we will make that available”.

“I have visited all the homes on a number of occasions and I have seen what they have gone through. I can’t really comprehend what they have gone through,” the minister said.