Minister Patrick O'Donovan welcomes the appointment of consultants for the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan, in Wicklow today (13 December 2023) welcomed the appointment of Ayesa Consultant Engineers as consultants to progress the detailed design and construction of the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme.

Speaking at the signing of contracts, Minister O’Donovan said:

“I am delighted to be here today to announce this appointment and to confirm to the people of Arklow the government’s commitment to progressing this scheme. This is an important investment for the town and, when complete, will provide protection to some 637 residential properties and 141 commercial properties. Residents and business people in Arklow can be assured that my office and Wicklow County Council will continue to work closely together with Ayesa Consultant Engineers to progress this scheme through design stage to construction. As with all OPW flood relief projects, this scheme, when constructed, will be adaptable to continue to provide protection against today’s flood risk and the growing risk from climate change into the future.”

The Arklow Flood Relief Scheme is part of the government’s €1.3 billion investment in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council expressed her delight at this significant milestone in the progression of the scheme, stating:

“Without intervention, Arklow faces the continued onset of the range of issues that are associated with flooding including tangible and intangible flood damage to private and public property including infrastructure services, extensive community disruption, health and safety issues and development restrictions.”

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, thanked the Minister for the significant funding of c. €57 million and welcomed the progression in the scheme saying:

“I am delighted for the people and businesses of Arklow that we have reached this key milestone. The aim of this scheme which is based on technical, socio-economic and environmental criteria will minimise risks to the community against flooding and will strive to enhance the town’s landscape with social amenities and character.”

Photography from the event to follow / also available from the OPW Press Office pressoffice@opw.ie

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Notes

Arklow Flood Relief Scheme

The process of identifying a preferred scheme to address fluvial and coastal flooding in Arklow includes a detailed assessment of a range of flood risk management measures to determine their technical, economic, social and environmental viability.

The Arklow Flood Relief Scheme currently has an approved project budget of circa €57 million. The spend on the scheme to date is approximately €2.6 million. During construction some 80% of the overall project budget is typically expended.

Scheme design

The proposed scheme will involve the construction of flood defence walls and an embankment, as well as conveyance improvements in the Avoca River; including deepening of the river channel, the introduction of new debris and gravel traps and strengthening works to the existing quay walls and Arklow Bridge. Public realm improvements will be carried out along River Walk and South Quay on the south bank of the river.

Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme

Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €230,000 to Wicklow County Council for Minor Works projects specific to the region of Arklow.

OPW flood relief schemes

Flood relief schemes are implemented in five stages. They are large, complex, multiannual projects that face a variety of issues and challenges, many of which are neither predictable nor within the OPW’s control. These can include issues relating to ground conditions, timelines for consultations and planning decisions or a limited capacity within the engineering consultancy market.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is the most in depth study ever undertaken on flood risk in Ireland. Completed in 2018, the programme studied flood risk for two-thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea.

This work underpins the OPW’s approach to designing and constructing flood relief schemes for communities most at-risk and is supported by €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan 2021–2030 (NDP).

To date, 54 schemes have been completed, at a cost of some €500 million. Over 12,000 properties are protected by these schemes providing an economic benefit estimated to be in the region of €1.9 billion.

A full list of the completed schemes.

Appendix A provides details of the 11 schemes that have reached substantial completion since the CFRAM launch in 2018.

Since 2018, the number of flood relief schemes at the design, planning, and construction stage has trebled to some 100 flood relief schemes. This is a result of the NDP investment that has enabled the OPW, in partnership with the local authorities, to progress this work.

Appendix B lists the schemes that are currently in construction.

This means that the government has completed or work is currently underway to protect 80% of properties at risk, based on the CFRAM Programme.

In addition to progressing flood relief schemes, the OPW has invested €63 million across some 900 unique local flood relief projects that protect some 7,800 properties through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

At all times, the OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum delay within the resources available to it.

A full list of schemes and further information is available on the Flood Information website. All major schemes progressed since 2018 also have individual websites. These provide relevant scheme information including timelines and budgets to the public.