Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran welcomes the commencement of works on the River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme

Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Flood Relief, was in Ennis today to turn the sod marking the commencement of works on the River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme. This marks the latest segment of the Ennis town and environs flood defences since the completion of the Ennis Upper and Ennis Lower (including Aughanteeroe and Fior Uisce areas) Schemes.

These works are being run by Clare County Council with funding from the OPW and will be carried out by Ward and Burke Construction Ltd. The works involve the construction of 2 flood alleviation culverts including services diversions, the upgrade of a 1.5km existing embankment and associated works to back drains, sluice gates and a new pumping station. The timescale for the completion of these works is 27 months taking environmental constraints into account.

Minister Moran said:

"The effects of flooding are devastating and can be long-lasting for communities and Ennis is no exception, having suffered serious flooding in the past. I have seen the extent of damage that can happen during a flood event and I am delighted to be here this morning to witness the commencement of this scheme which is the final main programme of works needed to provide full protection for Ennis and the River Fergus. When completed, the Flood Relief Schemes for Ennis will afford protection to over 1100 residential and 431 non-residential properties (including St Flannan’s College Secondary School) from the 1 in 100-year flood event."

This investment forms part of the Ireland 2040 National Development Plan, which will invest €1 billion in initiatives to protect threatened localities from river and coastal flood risk over the next ten years.

ENDS

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Notes to the Editor:

The town of Ennis, Co Clare, lies on the River Fergus. Ennis has a long record of flooding from storm surges, heavy rainfall and extreme river flow.

The River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme has evolved through an initial screening process of a range of potential measures typically considered for flood alleviation schemes, the development of potential options and finally the development of a preferred scheme design.

The River Fergus (Ennis) Upper certified Drainage Scheme was completed in 2010, with the River Fergus (Ennis) Lower Certified Drainage Scheme currently substantially complete. The River Fergus (Ennis South) Flood Relief Scheme is designed to complete the suite of flood defences in Ennis.