Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2019
230. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works which have been completed on the Clare river flood relief scheme encompassing Claregalway, Carnmore, Lisheenavalla and Caherlea; the flood alleviation works outstanding in the area; when the works will be completed in its entirety; the amount spent on the project to the end of May 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27619/19]
View answerThe implementation of the Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme has been ongoing over the last three years with the works being progressed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) direct labour force.
However, in recognition of the significant flooding problems in the area it was agreed to proceed with advance interim measures to reduce flood risk and by 2012 the following remedial works were successfully completed in advance of the main scheme works:
- Construction of flood eye at Claregalway Bridge
- Construction of new bridge at Crusheeney.
Construction of the main scheme then commenced in June 2016 and works completed to date are as follows:
Clare River - Selective Channel Maintenance
- Selective channel maintenance along the Clare River from Lough Corrib towards Cregmore Bridge, has been substantially completed.
Claregalway Village:
- The second stage channel upstream of Claregalway Bridge was regraded, extended and widened as part of in-stream deepening works in 2016. Bank protection in the form of rock armour was installed along the widened second stage channel bank and along the castle bank also in 2016.
- Some outstanding rock removal from the channel bed downstream was completed in 2018.
Lakeview:
- Works on constructing a 1.65km surface water outfall pipeline between Claregalway Corporate Park and the Clare River, upstream of the Claregalway Bridge, were completed in 2016.
- Final reinstatement of agricultural land along the route of the pipeline has now been completed.
Kiniska:
- Works on the Kiniska (Cin Uisce) tributary comprising channel maintenance, bank protection and bridge upgrade works have now been completed.
- Final reinstatement of agricultural land along the route of the drainage channel is substantially complete.
Montiagh South:
- Final road raising and tarring of the new road footprint in Montiagh South is now complete and the road has been formally handed back to Galway County Council.
- Works on the formation of a new drainage network and the construction of new accommodation/access bridges, along the field entrances adjacent to the roadway are now complete.
Caherlea / Lisheenavalla:
- Channel widening from 1.3km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to immediately downstream of Crusheeny Bridge to form a two-stage channel have been completed.
- Formation of the second stage channel on both sides of the Clare River, in Crusheeney and Cregmore is now fully complete.
- Construction of an embankment along the southern bank of the Clare River from 1.3 km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to the Islandmore Drain.
- In-stream Environmental River Enhancement Works upstream/downstream of Crusheeney Bridge are now fully complete.
- Works on the formation of a new drainage network and the construction of new accommodation/access bridges, along the field entrances adjacent to the roadway in Cregmore are now complete.
Montiagh North:
- Road C - Work on raising and tarring of a local road is now complete.
Carnmore/Cashla:
- Works on the construction of a 1.9km flood alleviation pipeline in Carnmore/Cashla are almost completed.
- Work on the installation of 2 no. pipe culverts across the R339 road network is now complete. 2 no. intake manholes, located either side of the R339 road network are constructed and in position.
- Works on the upgrading of a road culvert along the Lydican Road in Lisheenavalla, together with Bridge upgrade and bank protection works are now completed.
The major civil works for the flood relief measures are now completed. The cost of the scheme up to the end of May 2019 is estimated to be €9.37 million. Substantial completion of the Scheme is expected by end 2019. Some minor civil works remain to be completed and these along with Environmental Reinstatement Enhancement Programme works and other reinstatement and accommodation works are due to be all fully completed by mid-2020.
