Flooding On Main Road Near Passage West

Writes Leo McMahon

The problem of repeated flooding on the main R610 road near Passage West was highlighted by Cllr Eoghan Fahy (SF) at the recent meeting of the council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).

He asked the council to carry out an investigation and works to tackle the problem and pointed out that the city council recently carried out drainage and pipe works on its section of the road from Hop Island as far as the boundary near Roberts Bridge.

‘We are now left with two spots that continuously flood. Just beyond Roberts Bridge and outside Harbour Heights which is a result of drainage issues within the estate that the developer has assured me will be resolved in the coming months’.

Cllr Fahy said one could see water coming from agricultural land under and over the wall across from just beyond Roberts Bridge. In Harbour Heights, the manhole would burst up in heavy rain which flowed into the main road but this would be addressed when the green area was being cleaned up.  He acknowledged that the drain beyond the car park between the field and soccer club was unblocked by council staff and thanked them.

Flooding earlier this year on the main R610 road approaching Passage West near Roberts Bridge. The problem was higlighted by Cllr Eoghan Fahy (inset) at at meeting of Carrigaline Municipal District

In support,Cllr Jack White (FG) said he had seen the pooling for himself. There was, he understood a channel under the road near an old house in the locality which could possibly be blocked at present. An cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) seconded Cllr Fahy’s motion.

In a report, acting senior executive engineer Alan Cogan stated: ‘This has been referred to the council’s estates department in relation to stormwater emanating from the new development. An investigation, when resources allow, will be undertaken on the stormwater network on the regional road to determine any flooding contributory factors. Should remedial measures be required, they will then be addressed’.

At the MD meeting, said he had no problem corresponding with the landowner if water was coming off the land adding that gullies were there to drain water off the road not land.

In a motion, Cllr Fahy asked that a bin be installed at Harbour Heights bus stop where there was a litter accumulated.

He said the nearest bin was around 200 yards away on the opposite side of the road nearer to the shop. Litter was a problem by the bus stop, which members of the nearby soccer club picked up.

In reply, senior executive officer (SEO) Maurice Murphy said the council was currently developing Town Enhancement Plans for MD towns. The number and location of bins and other aspects would be considered as part of this process.

Mr Cogan said people needed to look after their own litter and not rely on councils, Tidy Towns and others to pick it up.

In reply to Cllr Fahy, the SEO said his query back in June about off-street public parking in Passage West was also tied in with the Town Enhancement Plan, dereliction and other inter-dependent issues.  The same applied to the proposed Heritage Plan and further plans for the Greenway in the town and beyond. He said details would be shared with councillors once all aspects were considered.

Cllr Fahy had another motion requesting footpath repairs at Bloomingdale, Passage West.  Cllr Pat Donovan (FF) seconded.

Mr Cogan replied that this was on a programme of works for 2025 for which government funding was awaited.