Response to task force report: Action needed before life is lost

Editorial Department • Published 19 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Dear Sir - In response to the long awaited Task Force Report on the November floods, I am making the following comments after reading the report.

The Rossmacaffrey roadway suffered extensive flooding during a 3 week period, the last section of the roadway running alongside the Colebrooke river being the most dangerous and worst affected, I’m appalled and shocked that this section was not included in Roads Service’s plans, the last 2 houses and landowners on this roadway are being left stranded.

How are we to travel if flooding continues? How are services provided to us?

Of course I forgot - we’re having some trees planted at the side of the roadway to stop us driving into the river! Whilst I’m delighted some parts of the roadway will be improved, the most dangerous section is being chopped for the necessary repairs because of financial restraints and because only 2 families live at the end of it.

The main reason for the recurring flooding in the area is the lack of capacity of the Upper Lough being unable to store any volume of water due to massive silting, neglect, debris and lack of maintenance.

The mouth of the Colebrooke river whose outlet is to the Upper Lough is blocked with a mound of silt and rubbish which has large trees growing in it, thus blocking the flow of water.

I hope roads service will reconsider their plans and repair the most dangerous section of the roadway along with the rest, before a life is lost.

Mrs Jean McVitty M.B.E.

69 Rossmacaffrey Road

Drumany

Lisnaskea

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Aug 10

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