OPW welcomes news that flood defences for King’s Island can proceed following An Bord Pleanála decision today

The Office of Public Works (OPW) welcomes the news that An Bord Pleanála today approved the proposed development of the King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme. This scheme forms part of the overall flood relief scheme proposed for Limerick City and Environs. It is estimated that construction will commence in Q1 2022 and will take approximately two years to complete.

Following severe flooding in Limerick City in February 2014, the OPW made a commitment to Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) to fund both temporary and permanent flood defence works at King’s Island. Funding was provided by the OPW to LCCC for the construction of sheet piling behind an embankment, completed in 2014, and for advance works on Verdant Place (repointing the existing stone wall and construction of reinforced concrete wall to the rear), completed in 2017.

In 2015, with funding from the OPW, LCCC appointed ARUP and JBA consultants to develop a permanent flood relief scheme for King’s Island and subsequently submitted an application for approval to An Bord Pleanála on 20 December 2019. It is estimated that the full scheme will cost in the region of €26 million and will provide protection to 450 residential and 23 commercial properties (this is a pre-planning estimate that may change following the detailed design and procurement process, and will be subject to market conditions at the time of tender). LCCC have committed to funding the public realm elements of this scheme up to €1.64 million, and the remainder of the scheme costs will be funded by the OPW from within the €1.3 billion allocated for flood risk management over the period 2018-2030. Provision for the cost of the scheme is included in the OPW’s multi-annual capital allocation.

In welcoming this decision, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan said:

“I am delighted today with the decision of An Bord Pleanála in approving the King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme. I know that a great deal of work has gone into developing this scheme in an area with both environmental and archaeological sensitivities. I also understand that in addition to the much-needed flood relief scheme there will also be important amenities provided for the community through significant public realm works. The work of both Limerick City and County Council and OPW staff along with the consultants should be commended for their efforts in getting the scheme to this point; I look forward now to the appointment of a contractor and the commencement of works early next year.”

ENDS

For further information please contact pressoffice@opw.ie