Contracts Signed To Deliver Arklow Flood Relief Scheme

The Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Minister Patrick O’Donovan, has attended the signing of contracts to progress the detailed design and construction for Arklow Flood Relief Scheme.

Speaking at the signing of the contracts, the Minister said: “I am delighted to be here today to announce this appointment and to confirm to the people of Arklow the Government’s commitment to progressing this scheme. This is an important investment for the town and, when complete, will provide protection to some 637 residential properties and 141 commercial properties.

“Residents and business people in Arklowu can be assured that my office and Wicklow County Council will continue to work closely together with Byrne Looby Partners to progress this scheme through design stage to construction.

 “As with all OPW flood relief projects, this scheme, when constructed, will be adaptable to continue to provide protection against today’s flood risk and the growing risk from climate change into the future.”

The Arklow Flood Relief Scheme is part of the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.

Wicklow County Council, funded by the Office of Public Works (OPW), will undertake engineering works along the Avoca River and surrounds to mitigate the risk of flooding in the Arklow town area in County Wicklow.

Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council expressed her delight at this significant milestone in the progression of the scheme, stating:  ‘’Without intervention, Arklow faces the continued onset of the range of issues that are associated with flooding including tangible and intangible flood damage to private and public property including infrastructure services, extensive community disruption, health and safety issues and development restrictions.”

The overall objectives and benefits of the proposed Scheme are:

• To provide flood relief measures along the River Avoca and estuary to alleviate flooding.

• To protect residential and non-residential properties from flooding and consequential damage

• To protect infrastructural utility services from flood damage

• To improve the health and safety of the community in high flood risk areas through direct protection from flooding and through reduction of stress and anxiety

• To reduce disruption and disturbance cause by flood events such as evacuations and traffic diversions

• To reduce the risk of environmental pollution such as runoff from hydrocarbons from flooded areas

• To provide the basis for the appropriate maintenance of the Avoca River at Arklow

Cllr Tommy Annesley, Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District, expressed his satisfaction at the scheme’s progress, noting that “the objective will be to protect the low lying areas of the town that are impacted during flood events from the Avoca River and the sea and will greatly increase public confidence that their homes and businesses will be protected in the future even during severe weather.”