Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Ennis To Benefit From Flood Alleviation Works

Clare County Council today announced a comprehensive programme of flood alleviation works for the town of Ennis.

The works include the recently commenced €250,000 Aughanteeroe Flood Alleviation Scheme on the Gort Road in Ennis, which is scheduled for completion later this year.

The Council confirmed that it has received funds totalling €135,000 from the Office of Public Works (OPW) in respect of flood relief works proposed in the Watery Road area of Ennis.

The works, when completed, will provide protection to vulnerable areas including Watery Road itself, Oakwood Drive, Elm Park and adjacent areas which were affected by the serious flood events of November and December 2009.

Commenting on the commencement of flood alleviation schemes elsewhere in the Clare county capital, Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan said the OPW has also agreed in principle to the concept of combining two separate scheme applications into one proposal because of their proximity to each other and the fact that they will complement each other when completed. The schemes in question relate to St. Flannan’s and Ballybeg.

Mr. Tiernan continued: “Furthermore, approval has been given for the appointment of consultants to facilitate planning, design and subsequent stages of the project which will incorporate; the construction of an overflow culvert from the St Flannan’s swallow hole, the construction of a similar type facility from the Ballybeg swallow hole, the repair/replacement of non-return valve systems in the River Fergus right embankment to the South of Quin Road, other improvement works to the same embankment and the installation of one or more emergency pump sumps in the floodplain area to the south of Tobartaoscain.”

Ennis Town Council last month signed a contract with BAM Civil Ltd., Galway, to construct the Aughanteeroe Flood Alleviation Scheme. The need for flood alleviation works at Aughanteeroe, Gort Road, Ennis was identified in the Ennis Main Drainage & Flood Study Preliminary Report.

The section was originally included in the River Fergus Lower (Ennis) Drainage Scheme, Bank Place bridge to Doora bridge. It was subsequently separated out to advance the works.

The main lower scheme will commence on site before year end.