Editorial: Flooding fears return to Kilkenny towns and villages at this time of year

A number of areas around Kilkenny were hit by flooding in recent days, as heavy rainfall saw rivers swelling and, in some cases, bursting their banks.

Fresh concerns have been raised after some roads had to be closed, and homes and businesses were left scrambling for sandbags.

Freshford and Thomastown were among the worst affected towns, as has often been the case. Sports pitches in Inistioge and Thomastown were also under water, as well as the Moat Field and Abbey Meadow in Callan. Many sporting fixtures and events were called off as a result.

The efforts of local authority workers in responding to recent flooding events have been lauded by those who contacted them and sought their assistance.
READ MORE KILKENNY VIEWS AND OPINION HERE

Climate change is playing a part in causing some flooding issues, and it is likely we are going to see more of it. As noted in these pages previously it’s also possible that factors like land development, clearance of trees and vegetation, and other things affecting natural water courses and drainage are impacting areas that never before saw these issues.

Flooding is an unfortunate reality of living next to rivers, and it cannot always be avoided. However, in areas where flood relief schemes have been urged for years by communities, and in some cases drawn up, more needs to be done to get them over the line.

Local councillors are calling for action from government on the delivery of much-needed flood relief schemes, with fears for the months ahead. Cllr Michael McCarthy called on the executive to ‘impress upon the Department the urgency that these works demand’. He makes a good point that the pilot flood relief scheme announced for Freshford needs to be expedited.

Delays to the delivery of long-awaited flood relief schemes in Thomastown and Inistioge have also been flagged. Too many people in these areas go to bed at night worried that their homes will be flooded come morning.