Cllrs seek clarification on flood management works in Mornington
Residents in parts of Mornington “want to be able to access their community by foot and car, not by canoe,” Independent Cllr Carol Lennon told the November meeting of the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District, as councillors raised renewed concerns about flooding and waterway maintenance in the area.
Cllr Lennon was speaking in support of a motion calling on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to provide urgent clarification on who holds responsibility for dredging and maintaining local waterways behind Foxbury, St Nicholas, and The Dunes, and when this work was last carried out.
The motion, tabled by Sinn Féin Cllr Maria White, also seeks details on whether an annual or seasonal maintenance schedule is in place, and if scheduled works have been completed as planned in recent years. It further calls for the OPW to outline its current approach to waterway management in Mornington and any planned interventions or infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing future flooding risks.
Cllr White told the meeting she had received a comprehensive response from Meath County Council regarding its areas of responsibility but said the same level of detail had not been forthcoming from the OPW.
“We understand that Meath County Council has responsibility for some streams and rivers in the area and the OPW for others,” she said.
“I received a comprehensive response from Meath County Council and I am confident that side of things is being managed correctly. However, in the response I received from the OPW the same level of detail and transparency isn’t there.
“I’m looking to know when that stream was last dredged because people feel there is a connection between the dredging of the rivers and streams and the issue of flooding in the area. The OPW seem to be unwilling or unable to give me an accurate response when it was last done. As councillors, we have a responsibility to follow up on these things, and I would like us as a group to write and request that information.”
Cllr Lennon said residents’ fears are heightened every time there is heavy rain and high tides.
“We know when there is heavy rain and high tides the rivers are going to rise, and if the dredging of the streams is not done sufficiently, we get emails from people who are seeing it starting to rain,” she said. “They don’t want sandbags delivered, that is not the answer. They want to be able to access their community by foot and car, not by canoe.”
The motion was supported by members of the Municipal District, who agreed that clear communication from the OPW is essential to addressing residents’ concerns and ensuring effective long-term flood management in the Mornington area.