Homeowners claim elevated road increases potential for floods
A home owner living along the main Galway to Roscommon road claims that works to elevate the road outside his gate have left in danger of being flooded next winter.
John O’Brien – who farms land near Abbeyknockmoy – says that the potential run-off of water in the event of a prolonged period of heavy rainfall would result in his home suffering water damage.
Resident and farmer John O’Brien told The Connacht Tribune that the elevated N63 is now up to the top of his outside wall and it is an issue that he has taken up with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
He has expressed the fear that it will result in his home being flooded in the event of continuous rainfall. He has demanded that safeguards be put in place to ensure that this will not happen.
He has been in contact with Galway County Council and TII with a view to sorting the problem out but with little success. He has been forced to seek legal advice in relation to the matter.
Works have been ongoing along the main N63 for the past two years, resulting in a controversial stop-go system which has caused major traffic delays.
Mr O’Brien said that the road is now three feet above the level of what was envisaged when the realignment process was first started.
He has asked Galway County Council to provide flood relief measures at his home to prevent a water run-off from happening.
He resides close to the Brooklodge Estate and in a location where a major road realignment is taking place. The N63 road works have been taking place for the past two years.
He said that the new road is now up to the top of his front wall and it will result in problems down the line and particularly in relation to flooding.
According to Mr O’Brien there was no consultation when it came to the construction of the new road and he did not realise the implications of what would be happening.
“The construction of the new road was something that was done without little consultation. The road was raised to a level that we did not expect.
“We have been on to the Council and TII but we are getting nowhere. This is like a flood waiting to happen.
“The Council have been contacted and we want a system in place that will take flood waters away but there is no guarantee that this will happen," Mr O’Brien added.
Meanwhile, Cllr Pete Roche from Abbeyknockmoy said that he had secured funding for flood relief measures in the area and they would be implemented over the coming months.
But he has lashed out at the fact that the works on the N63 are taking so long and are, at the moment, running around six months behind schedule.
“There is a major issue with the contractors involved in the works and Galway County Council. The road design is a major issue for local householders and so too is the time involved,” Cllr Roche added.
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