From the Galway City Tribune – The ‘temporary’ flood prevention barrier at Spanish Arch will remain in place until April at least, Galway City Council has said.

Cllr Councillor Niall McNelis (Lab) said the Council last week confirmed it would not be removed before the St Patrick’s Weekend and said it was likely to be after Easter before the equipment is put back into storage until next winter.

The Council said that the Transport (Operations) Directorate in City Hall “intend to remove the temporary flood barrier at Spanish Arch during April as in previous years”.

It’s understood there is a significant cost in installing the barrier.

Rather than incur that cost regularly during storm events, the Council in recent years has chosen to leave it in place continuously during the months when high tides are expected and the flood risk is greater.

Cllr McNelis said he had been contacted by locals and tour guides querying when the orange temporary flood barrier would be removed this year.

In an email to the Council, he pointed out that the bins at Spanish Arch are inaccessible, as they are located behind the boom and metal fencing that surrounds it.

With an influx of people due in Galway this bank holiday weekend, Cllr McNelis said: “We need to have bins in place.”