Minister Moran welcomes progress on Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme

Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief today provided an update on progress with the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme with flood gate installation at key locations in Athlone, to protect vulnerable areas from flooding.

Welcoming the progress to date, Minister Moran said

‘I am pleased to be able to report on the latest status of the flood gate element of the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme. To date, 8 flood gates have been installed – two at The Strand, four at The Quays and two at Brick Island.’

The Minister continued,

‘The next phase, which is due for completion later this year, will see a further 14 gates installed at Deerpark, The Strand and The Quays. Further phases will see an additional 14 gates installed bringing the overall total of 36 gates across 8 floods cells, upon completion’.

Minister Moran concluded by saying,

‘I am confident that the people of Athlone will see a dramatic improvement in the protection provided to their homes and businesses as these gates are installed, and I want to express my deep appreciation to the OPW staff, the project consultants, and contractors who have worked hard to progress this complex project at all of the various locations’.

ENDS

For further information please contact the OPW Press Office at pressoffice@opw.ie

Note to Editors

Details of gates installed to date:

The Strand (Flood Cell 2) – 2 gates installed – 1 x 5 metres in width and 1 x 2.5 metres in width
The Quays (Flood Cell 3) – 4 gates installed – 4 x 3 metres in width
Brick Island (Flood Cell 4) – 2 gates installed – 2 x 5 metres in width

Photos available on request to pressoffice@opw.ie