Government funding sought by locals in Limerick town to save ‘jewel in our crown’
LIMERICK councillors have agreed to write to government in the hope of securing hundreds of thousands of euro in funding to save a town park that has suffered “significant damage” due to flooding.
A special meeting of elected representatives from the Newcastle West Municipal District took place as efforts continue to save Abbeyfeale Town Park from further damage.
“Unfortunately, for the third time, we are going to see our walkway washed away. There are two acres of ground washed away at the moment. It’s getting worse,” Cllr Liam Galvin (FG) said.
He described the Town Park as a “jewel in our crown” in Abbeyfeale and said its current condition, which includes a large section closed due to flooding, is a “crying shame”.
“It’s just not safe anymore,” Cllr Galvin stressed, asking that councillors write to Patrick O’ Donovan, Minister-of-State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) for a “bailout” to save the vital amenity.
“We need help. It’s going to cost hundreds of thousands to rectify the problem,” he added.
Cllr Galvin, a native of Abbeyfeale, highlighted that people have contacted him concerning the quality of drinking water in the area, particularly after the park was flooded in late September.
“Is it any wonder that they are giving out seeing the colour of the water going into our treatment plant? Sand, gravel, filth and clay are washing down the river and going in,” he said.
He warned that unless someone in the OPW takes over the section of the River Feale along the Town Park, then nothing will happen to improve the quality of the water or stop the flooding.
He stressed that there are now only three trustees looking after the park, compared to a time when there were 20. “They are not in a position to fundraise,'' he said, adding that Irish Water must also come on board with the local authority.
Mayor Francis Foley (FF) who called the meeting, said the issue has been going on for several years.
“We are getting a lot more flooding. The Town Park and landowners are on the line. We need funding and help from the OPW,” he stated.
The OPW responded to the elected members following a written request. They said that they are concluding a report on the riverbank of the Town Park, to be completed in the next three weeks.
A Senior Executive Engineer present at the meeting clarified that the OPW are not the agency responsible for that section of the river and are simply just covering the cost of the report.
“The problem is that it is private property. Let’s call on the OPW to take ownership of that section of the river. That will solve the problem,” Cllr Galvin proposed, concluding the meeting.