‘Stay safe and check on neighbours where you can’: Local reps urge caution following reports of flooding in this Kildare town

Local representatives have urged people living in Newbridge to exercise caution and to look out for others following reports of flooding in the town.

The appeal follows after the ESB warned on Saturday, January 31 last that it may have to release water from the Poulaphouca reservoir on the Kildare / Wicklow border because of its "limited" storage capacity, thus putting the towns of Clane and Newbridge at direct risk of flooding.

At the same time, Kildare County Council (KCC) announced that it was monitoring impact of heavy rainfall on the River Liffey in Kildare.

Over the past two days, excessive flooding was reported at Liffey Linear Park in Newbridge, in addition to at least two estates: College Grove and Raymonds Court.

Flooding at the Liffey Linear Park made one route impassable

Taking to social media, Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender said that he received reports of flooding in College Grove, and added that water levels are rising in parts of the area.

He elaborated: "Teams are on site and keeping an eye on the situation.

"Some houses have been provided with sandbags.

"In Raymond’s Court and the estate beside it, across from the jetty, water is coming up along the shores.

Flooding at the College Grove estate. Photograph credit: Cllr Chris Pender

Cllr Pender also urged the public: "Please stay safe and check on neighbours where you can."

Another local rep, Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer, said yesterday (February 2 last) that she had visited and examined the state of Raymonds Court, Riverside Park and the Victoria Bridge area.

"I want to thank our KCC staff and residents for all working together to stay safe," she added.

Cllr O'Dwyer also gave assurances that KCC "will monitor the situation closely over the next few days and take measures to mitigate the potential impact as a result of the necessary release of water from the Poulaphouca Reservoir".

Anyone in Newbridge who has been affected by flooding can contact KCC's out-of-hours phone number on 1800 500 444.

Raised water levels near Liffey Linear Park

Furthermore, a post which was submitted to a local online forum to discuss Newbridge-related matters offered an additional insight into the flooding situation (The identity of the poster was kept anonymous).

It read as follows: "College Grove is starting to flood. Fellas from the water company down there [are] keeping an eye so houses have been given sandbags the water is getting pretty high some areas down there.

"Thomastown near Victoria Bridge all [have been] given sand bags today by KCC, urging residents to prepare."

They added: "Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer has been to residents in Thomastown and Cllr Chris Pender have been to residents in Raymonds Court, fair play to them both checking on constituents."

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