A report into the landslide at the Dawn of Hope bridge in Leitrim has suggested that the County Council consider purchasing lands and property that may be affected by another ‘likely’ landslide.
A large downpour on June 30th caused thousands of tonnes of peat to dislodge and envelop the Dawn of Hope bridge near the Shass mountain outside Drumkeeran.
A report by RPS consulting details how 160,000 tonnes of material had been deposited by the landslide, 55 hectares had been affected, with nearly 12 hectares of land having slipped and 43 hectares left covered with debris.
The report, released to journalist Ken Foxe, has warned of a high risk to land, property and infrastructure in the area from a further landslide.
It details how two adjoining areas of land are affected by the original incident and warns that the likelihood of a further landslide in the first area judged to be ‘almost certain to likely’ to occur and a second area is also likely to be subject to a landslide if there were adverse conditions.
It also details how one property was at particular risk if there was another landslide and the council should consider purchasing it.
Consideration should be given to securing adjacent areas, by providing a barrier to livestock, and signage should be erected to those areas to advise people of the hazards.
The report outlines that remedial works would cost between 1.4 million and 2.7 million depending on how much work would be involved.
It also states that the purchase of lands would cost between €316,000 and €530,000 and the removal of peat would cost €3million to €4million.
It concludes that the Dawn of Hope bridge is holding back 30 tonnes of peat and that should not be moved this year to allow it to dry out and settle.
