Sorca Clarke
Ceist:136. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood defence works in Athlone, County Westmeath; and the timeline for the completion of flood defences. [9557/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
136. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood defence works in Athlone, County Westmeath; and the timeline for the completion of flood defences. [9557/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWestmeath County Council (WCC) working in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW) is advancing proposals to deal with the flooding issues in Athlone. WCC is the Contracting Authority and the OPW is funding the costs of the flood relief works for the town in addition to undertaking the construction works using its own direct labour.
Engineering consultants were appointed in April 2017 to identify appropriate flood risk alleviation measures for Athlone. The Options Appraisal Report identified eight discrete cells of flood defence works. These flood cells are each being progressed individually under Part 8 or Part 10 of the Planning and Development Regulations with works being undertaken by the OPW’s own workforce, as a direct managed scheme.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions all construction activities were halted from the 27th March 2020. Works recommenced on the 18th of May 2020 under the HSE Return to Work Safely protocols
The current status of each flood cell is set out in the following table.
Table 1:
Flood Cell |
Status |
FC1 – Deerpark |
Part 8 planning granted in September 2018 with works commencing in mid 2019. Anticipated completion by end 2021. |
FC2 – The Strand |
Part 8 planning granted in May, 2018 with construction works commencing in mid 2019. Anticipated completion by end 2021 |
FC3 – The Quay |
Part 8 planning granted September, 2017 with construction works commencing May, 2018. Anticipated completion end of 2020. |
FC4 – Brick Island |
Part 8 planning granted January, 2018 with construction works commencing in April 2018. Anticipated completion is early 2021. |
FC5 – Marine View |
Part 8 planning granted March, 2018 with construction works commencing in the third quarter of 2019. Anticipated completion is the end of 2021. |
FC6 – Iona Park |
Construction is complete. |
FC7 – River Al (Cregan) |
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is currently in hand. Planning approval and subsequent construction commencement dates are dependent on EIA findings |
FC8 – Golden Island |
Part 8 planning granted September, 2018. Detailed design is being reviewed prior to the commencement of construction works. It is expected works will commence this year and take 15/16 months to complete. |
All construction works for the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021 but the delay caused by Covid-19 may push some works into 2022.
When completed, the project will provide flood protection to approximately 560 properties.