Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme

Following extensive flooding in County Galway as a result of the November 2009 flooding event, a Joint Working Group, comprising of OPW and Galway County Council officials was set up to identify flood mitigation measures for the region. Ryan Hanley, Consulting Engineers, were commissioned to undertake a preliminary flood study of the Clare River. The Study recommended a major scheme of works on the Clare River in addition to some advance works including the construction of flood eyes at Crusheeney Bridge and one at Claregalway Bridge. The OPW is responsible for maintenance of the channel at Claregalway as it forms part of the Clare River Arterial Drainage Scheme.

In recognition of the significant flooding problems in the area it was agreed to proceed with interim measures to reduce flood risk and by 2012, the following remedial works were completed in advance of the main scheme works:

• construction of flood eye at Claregalway Bridge
• construction of new bridge at Crusheeney
• these advance works have been successfully completed at a cost of €2.5m approx.

In January 2011, OPW appointed RPS, Consulting Engineers to complete the engineering and environmental documentation necessary to advance the scheme. The Clare River (Claregalway) Drainage Scheme was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) for Confirmation in November 2013.

The Minister for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), Brendan Howlin TD, confirmed the Clare River (Claregalway) Scheme in November 2015 subject to a number of further conditions (26) which were attached to the decision to provide additional mitigation measures to those already included in the EIS. The aim of these measures was to avoid/reduce and if possible offset any major adverse effects (if any) of the proposed Scheme. In order to comply fully with these conditions, the OPW appointed both Archaeological and Environmental Consultants to carry out Archaeological and Environmental Monitoring of the works throughout the construction phase of this project.

Flood relief works are currently ongoing on the Clare River (Claregalway) Drainage Scheme (FRS). Works will be carried out over a 3-year period, with substantial completion expected to be achieved by Quarter 4 2019. Works are currently being progressed by OPW's direct labour force, which has significant experience undertaking such works in environmentally sensitive areas. Works on the main scheme commenced in June 2016, with the construction of a flood alleviation pipeline in the Lakeview area and deepening of the channel bed upstream, under and downstream of the Claregalway Bridge and Flood Eye. Flood alleviation measures identified as part of the FRS are currently being progressed by OPW as part of an agreed schedule.

Clare River Preliminary Study (Ryan Hanley Consultants)

Clare River Preliminary Study (Ryan Hanley Consultants).

View the latest project news.