“Major inconvenience” has been caused to households in Gallows Hill in Cratloe “for a long time” as a result of poor drainage, local representatives have claimed.
Requests for the installation of a complete drainage system by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) were rejected on the basis that such works along a “hilly road is beyond the level of resourcing available” to the Shannon Municipal District.
Senior engineer, Aidan O’Rourke responding to Ryan’s motion outlined that it would instead need to be advanced as a capital project. Individual drainage measures could be progressed via the drainage grant “which can alleviate issues here and there are being examined to progress where possible subject to drainage grant monies continuing to issue from central funding,” O’Rourke stated.
Speaking at a meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr Ryan flagged that drainage issues at Gallows Hill were “ongoing for a long time and they are causing major inconvenience to households there”. He continued, “Water is running in the door of some houses, that is not acceptable and we need to do something about it”. Sandbags are a permanent fixture at one particular house, the Cratloe representative admitted due to the concern that exists.
As he seconded the motion, Cllr Pat O’Gorman admitted, “It is a major topic in Cratloe, it is going on for years and years”. He continued, “I don’t know how we will solve it, there are houses at the top and bottom of Gallows Hill. Even the day after heavy rain it is still seeping down. We need a major system to be put in place, it is not as simple as putting down a pipe”.
