Still no flood scheme 25 years on from Hurricane Charlie - Grant

Cllr David Grant has again raised the issue of the Dargle Flood Protection Scheme that the residents in Little Bray have been campaigning for since the last flood hit the Dargle valley twenty five years ago this week.
 
This Thursday marks the 25th anniversary of the worst natural disaster to hit the town, the infamous floods that resulted from the visit of Hurricane Charlie on August 25th 1986.
 
Throughout that day there was heavy and persistent rain, but as night fell stronger elements of Hurricane Charlie struck and turned the day into a night of destruction.  When the banks of the Dargle burst the water level rose outside people’s homes, which started a frantic exercise of salvage and evacuation.
 
The following days and months counted the real cost of that night with homes destroyed, valuables lost and lifelong memories washed away.
 
Since this horrific event residents in Little Bray have been looking for a flood protection scheme to be put in place so that the damage of twenty five years ago will never happen again.
 
“During my year as Cathaoirleach of Bray Town Council I made this issue a priority and a lot of work was done on the scheme ending with a contractor being nominated and ready to start the works.  
 
Regrettably, this Government has now put the project on hold overturning earlier commitments that works would start this year.  We are now in an uncertain position, the opportunity to start the scheme this year has been lost and no commitment has been given about when the project will get underway.
 
The start and completion of the Dargle Flood Protection Scheme will remain my priority and every effort will be made to make sure it happens” said Cllr Grant.