Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works.
On the 30th November last year, I visited Galway City and met with representatives from Galway City Council and the OPW, who are working on the progression of the scheme, to discuss the issues and potential solutions for these vulnerable areas of the city.
The objective of the Coirib go Cósta Project is to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme, which has a preliminary total project budget estimate of €9.5m and when complete will protect over 940 properties in the Long Walk, Spanish Arch, Eglinton Canal, Merchants Quay, Raven Terrace, Salthill and Claddagh areas of Galway City from tidal and river flooding.
The scheme is currently in Stage 1 and the preliminary draft options for the scheme are programmed to be presented to the general public towards the end of this year.
Currently, it is programmed that Stage 2 will begin towards the end of 2023 with the scheme expected to be submitted for planning approval to An Bord Pleanála in Quarter 3 of 2024, following the completion of all environmental assessments.
This scheme represents a significant investment for Galway City, which will be undertaken with all due consideration for regulatory, planning, environmental and social constraints, while achieving the goal of delivering a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway City.
