The Minister is aware of the high level of flooding which occurred in County Clare in the winter of 1995. North Clare and Ennis were most affected and there is considerable concern among residents and UDC members in Ennis that this situation could be exacerbated by any building development on the flood plains of the River Fergus, particularly from Mill Road to Bank Place.
The town development plan recognised the importance of the flood plains in this area. However, public concern was expressed at the Mill Road traders meeting on 1 April last regarding planning permission in the post office field and proposed development on Watery Road in Ennis. At this meeting it was pointed out that this stretch of river is prone to flooding and is unique as it lies between two river control mechanisms. The weir is situated on the up river side while the bridge is located at Bank Place. The point was also made that this area acts as a flood relief zone at times of high rainfall. This situation can be exacerbated by spring tides causing the water to back up.
In the existing circumstances, it was thought prudent for Ennis UDC to commission an impact study on the area to avoid causing a problem, such as the crisis in Clonmel this year. Will the Minister give a financial commitment to enable such an impact study to take place? According to many of my constituents, if development takes place in the flood plain area, it will further reduce capacity in the river. I am told that, if the river is enclosed on the east bank, it will have the effect of rising the river level by approximately two feet between Mill Road and Bank Place.
Many residents have approached me because they are concerned about the proposed works of Ennis UDC and the civic trust. Their concerns include landfilling areas previously prone to flooding and the construction of a flooding protection wall at Cloughleigh; landfilling existing water courses at Mill House and the river itself; a reduction in the width of the river by up to 15 feet due to landfilling to create a new river walk; demolition of the existing earth and flood protection embankment along the eastern perimeter of the tennis club; a slipway and poorly designed surface water pipe to facilitate water flow at flood periods into property behind the riverside walk which is being constructed; the provision of pedestrian and vehicular access to the rear of properties previously inaccessible, and the destruction of boundary fencing. My constituents inform me that a detailed flood impact study is needed and that a slip-way and a wall level greater than four metres above datum is required as a minimum until the study is completed. That level will only deal with known previous flood levels and does not take into account the detrimental impact of the works outlined.
My constituents say it is obvious that the works undertaken are not flood neutral and call on the UDC and others to demonstrate what proposals they have to ensure that such works, including any future proposals, will not adversely affect river overbank flows on to their property. The Minister should commit funding for a technical plan to be drawn up for this area.
