Galway flooding crisis continues despite €360,000 spend on Kylemore Bridge
In correspondence viewed by the Connacht Tribune, Director of Services Uinsinn Finn said that “significant public expenditure has been incurred”.
“Taking account of the original works at the location, the High Court Judicial Review proceedings, and the Appropriate Assessment screening process required by the High Court, the overall expenditure incurred is estimated to be in excess of €360,000,” he said.
The issue, which affects the N59, stems from emergency works carried out by Galway County Council in August 2022, when gravel, stone and debris were removed from the river channel to reduce the risk of flooding and prevent blockages at the bridge.
Friends of the Irish Environment subsequently challenged those works in the High Court. During the judicial review, it was argued that the works proceeded without an environmental screening process, in particular an Appropriate Assessment Screening.
At the same time, Inland Fisheries Ireland initiated a criminal prosecution against Galway County Council before the District Court relating to alleged breaches of the Fisheries and Water Services legislation. This case was struck out by the court with no Order.
We have to get a solution to help the local people. Everyone is concerned that there could be lives lost. It could potentially happen. It is incumbent on us to move forward as quickly as possible and get a solution to resolve this.
Following the High Court proceedings, the council was directed to retrospectively conduct an environmental screening of the emergency works.
Independent consultants MKO were commissioned to undertake the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report, which included ecological surveys, water quality analysis and examinations of protected species such as freshwater pearl mussels, salmon and otters.
The report, completed in February this year, “found no evidence of adverse effects on water quality or protected species,” according to Mr Finn. As a result, the council determined that a Stage II environmental assessment – a Natura Impact Statement – was not required.
However, the council confirmed that the combined cost of the emergency works, the legal challenge and the environmental assessment process now exceeds €360,000.
Despite this, the site's underlying flooding problem remains unresolved. Any future works will require further environmental assessment and regulatory approval, adding time and cost.
In correspondence, Mr Finn continued that “completion of the retrospective screening process does not, of itself, resolve the wider flooding issue at Kylemore Bridge”.
The council remains conscious of the concerns of the local community and the ongoing flooding risk at this location. Any further works at Kylemore Bridge will have to be considered carefully in the context of the relevant statutory, environmental, and funding requirements...These processes carry additional time and cost implications.
Following a recent meeting at Ellis Hall in Letterfrack, Independent councillor and bye-election candidate Thomas Welby said that he would “rather see money spent on works than on legal challenges”.
Speaking to the Connacht Tribune, he said it is “an intolerable situation” as flooding continues to cause disruption for local communities in Connemara.
“This is an ongoing problem,” he said.
“We have to get a solution to help the local people. Everyone is concerned that there could be lives lost. It could potentially happen. It is incumbent on us to move forward as quickly as possible and get a solution to resolve this.”
Council officials are still awaiting legal advice following the conclusion of the High Court process, while Cllr Welby has argued that additional funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland would be beneficial.
I would rather see money spent on public works than on legal challenges.
Amid ongoing delays, local campaigners say efforts are continuing to find both short- and long-term solutions. The Kylemore Road Flooding Action Group, which was set up in 2021, said the recent public meeting on the issue was “very cordial and solution-focused”.
It was agreed that a delegation from the group will meet senior officials in Galway County Council to discuss possible short and long-term measures.
A subgroup representing the various stakeholders was set up to progress recommendations from a 2016 impact study, which members say would have “minimal impact on the pearl mussel”.
Friends of the Irish Environment also committed to seeking a copy of the river Catchment Plan from the relevant Minister to explore whether bridge works could be progressed alongside it.
“The Kylemore Action Group are satisfied that each represented body at the meeting were given ample opportunity to state their case, air their views and be heard and are pleased that, contentious though the issue is, steps were put in place to move forward,” the group said.
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