Sir, – Yesterday I drove through Enniscorthy (“‘We’re in limbo’: Enniscorthy businesses feel defenceless after latest flood,” October 2nd).
Between the two bridges now exists a large island, which has grown over recent years, covered in vegetation.
The entire riverbed between and below the bridges is full of gravel washed down from upstream, raising the riverbed level and consequently the river itself.
Blockages in the riverbed, like the island, block the flow of floodwater and add to the risk of the lower town flooding.
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Dredging out the riverbed between and to a distance above and below and especially under the bridges, would seem to be the quickest, cheapest and most common sense way to help reduce flooding events (at least smaller ones) in Enniscorthy.
It won’t protect against all flooding events, but it would certainly help floodwaters get away more quickly, when the tide falls.
I cannot believe that it is not being done on a regular basis along this short stretch of river.
I’m all for supporting our flora and fauna in the riverbed, but what about the fauna (people) who live above the river? Are they and their businesses not worthy of some consideration along this short stretch of the river? Dredge it. – Yours, etc,
DAVID DORAN,
Bagenalstown,
Co Carlow.
