River Shannon maintenance works underway

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., yesterday visited the New Cut in Meelick, Ireland, where maintenance works have commenced on the River Shannon.

The works are being carried out by Waterways Ireland on behalf of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group.

According to the officials, these works will enhance the conveyance capacity and navigation on the river channel.

Works will take place at five locations along the Shannon during the current environmental season, starting on the Mid-Shannon near Meelick, Co. Galway to be followed by work on the North Shannon in Roscommon and Leitrim.

Each of these works projects will take approximately six weeks to complete.

In addition to these works, the OPW, in partnership with local authorities, has completed 12 flood relief schemes for the Shannon area.

A further 37 flood relief schemes are being advanced under the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan. Schemes are under construction at Ennis South, Athlone & Springfield at this time.