Report Blocked Gullies to Prevent Flooding
Over the years, our roads have greatly improved - not alone the surface, but also the drainage underneath them.
Millions of Euro has been spent. But, what good are modern gullies, and pipes under the road, when they are not cleared out when they become blocked!
Each of these pictures was taken in Bearna village over the past few weeks. If you come across any blocked gullies, please play your part by reporting them to Galway County Council (details below), giving the exact location and Eircode of the nearest house (if possible).
For the past month, we have been recording the large number of gullies blocked along the main road in Bearna, and have taken pictures to that effect. Anyone using the Paint Box Road (as known locally) will have noticed a large flood near the end of the road - this is due to two blocked gullies side by side.
As Bearna-Na Forbacha (from Silverstrand west) lies in the Galway County Council area, we have to make our voices heard, and fight to get equal attention as residents in Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort, Loughrea, and Headford.
Clearing gullies is of huge importance - to prevent a build up of water, but also to preserve the surface of the roads, which can be damaged by stagnant water. Specialist equipment is needed to clear these, and the Connemara office of Galway County Council must add our blocked gullies to their list of works.
The photo is taken approximately from where the entrance to Cúl an Aith is today, looking southwards towards the back of the Twelve Pins (on the right), and Donnelly's (tall building in the middle back of pic).
The photo above, taken from the Connacht Tribune in November 1977, could be a scene from Ireland today. Bearna-Na Forbacha has not been badly affected by flooding, like some areas, but we need to be vigilant and make sure that never happens again.
Report blocked gullies (or other concerns) to Galway County Council's Connemara Area office. Include the exact address and/or Eircode of nearest house:
Clerical officers: Niamh Ni Neachtain (nnineachtain@galwaycoco.ie) or Liz Conneely (lconneely@galwaycoco.ie). Ring: 091-595781, 091-595771, or 091-509060.
Find the Eircode of a nearby house: https://finder.eircode.ie/#/.