By Dan Walsh
Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, has announced the approval of €6.6m to eight local authorities, to introduce interim flood protection measures, in response to flooding from Storm Chandra, earlier this year.
Commenting Minister Moran, who visited communities impacted by Storm Chandra, said: “For most, this flooding was not for the first time and for some, including Enniscorthy, Arklow and Aughrim it was ahead of flood relief schemes being delivered to these communities.
Meeting with the Chief Executive and Director of Service from Wexford County Council, and elected representatives, the Minister thanked the local authorities for their response to those flooding events during Storm Chandra.
He acknowledged their commitment to identify and bring forward promptly flood protection measures that can help mitigate the impact to communities from a similar flood event, ahead of next winter.
While Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme is still in the planning phase, a number of practical, interim measure have been promised by Wexford County Council, these measures were outlined at a Special Meeting of Wexford County Council in February.
Mr Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive, at that meeting was confident that the government, through the OPW, would provide the necessary funding for the following Interim Measures, which may not fully stop any future flooding episodes but should at least help reduce the impact:
• A sandbag wall behind properties on the Island Road which will remain in place for the indefinite future (this has been done).
• An aquadam will be employed on Templeshannon Quay.
• An earth bank will be constructed to protect the Waterfront Pool & Leisure Centre.
• The wall on Abbey Quay, which dips at its centre, will be raised by 300mm.
• Demountable barriers will be installed at the two pedestrian access points on Abbey Quay.
• Sump and pump systems will be purchased and installed on Templeshannon Quay and Abbey Quay.
• An aquadam will be utilised on The Promenade.
• Council engineers will work with affected homeowners around individual house barriers.
* Electronic warning signs are being considered for the Quays which will show the status of the river and display any warnings.
In addition to Enniscorthy, there would be interim measures also for Wexford town, Bunclody (where 14 houses and four businesses were flooded) and Bridgetown.
Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne TD has announced that approval has been granted for €2,613,504 for Wexford County Council to introduce their interim flood protection measures. This funding includes €440,000 for Bunclody which has been welcomed by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy.
Senator Cathal Byrne said; “The key priority remains the permanent Flood Defence Scheme and associated works for Enniscorthy. It is a vital infrastructure project for the town of Enniscorthy and we must continue to put pressure on at every level to ensure it progresses in a timely manner.”
Fine Gael TD for South Wicklow North Wexford, Brian Brennan TD said; “I witnessed at first hand the devastation caused to communities in Enniscorthy and Bunclody, both during the Storm and in the weeks that followed.
“This funding must be put to immediate use to mitigate against any repeat of the flooding that we saw in January and to future proof the impacted areas for the homeowners, businesses and community facilities.
“For the community of Enniscorthy, this funding remains an interim measure ahead of the planned flood relief schemes that are being delivered to these communities.
Preparatory work for these various measures, such as gathering the appropriate information, has started and the measures themselves are due to begin later this summer and be completed before the end of this year.
Today’s one-time funding is issued as a response to Storm Chandra.
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