As a result of the interim report produced for Meath County Council on flood alleviation measures which could be carried out this year the Office of Public Works and the council have agreed on a package of works to be undertaken on the Tolka river in the County Meath area. In March the council put the proposal on public display and members of the public have until 27 May to submit observations to it. I expect the council will consider the matter at its monthly meeting in June. The Office of Public Works must await the approval of the council before any works can commence. Once approval is given the Office of Public Works will start work immediately in the area.
The works to be undertaken are expected to cost in the region of €300,000. Not all of the works in the interim report are being carried out at this time due to, among other things, time constraints and environmental considerations. It is also necessary to be mindful that the full report on the River Tolka catchment is due this summer. It should provide additional information on which further decisions on the entire catchment can be made.
