This article is from page 12 of the 2012-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
RIVER levels in Ennis remain under constant observation amid rising concerns from local businesses over flooding.
A senior official with Ennis Town Council said yesterday that rainfall and water levels in the Ennis area probably the most “watched pieces of data in the county”.
Eamon O’Dea was responding to concerns sparked by recent heavy flooding in Clonakilty, Cork.
Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) told a meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area that businesses in the Abbey Street area fear a repeat of damage suffered during unprecedented flooding in November 2009.
He said, “When people saw what happened in Clonakilty, it made them more conscious of flooding.”
Mr O’Dea said council staff had recently conducted round-the-clock observation of water levels around Ennis.
He said an alert system is in place and that measures such as sandbags and electrical pumps are on standby in locations around the town.
However Mr O’Dea warned that there are certain extreme rainfall events that could not be planned for.
The meeting also heard that work on the lower Fergus Certified Drainage Contract is anticipated to commence in October.
The information was released in response to a motion tabled by Cllr James Breen (Ind).
“I am asking the up to date position in relation to the elimination of future flooding at Abbey Street Car Park. When will work on the river begin?” he said.
In his reply, Mr O’Dea stated, “The Office of Public Works (OPW) are presently carrying out a tender assessment on the lower Fergus Certified Drainage Contract. The works include the Abbey Street car park and area behind houses opposite the Abbey. The OPW anticipate that work will commence on the scheme in October 2012. The Council has requested that the work in this area is prioritised by the OPW contractor.”
The project was delayed earlier this year after the OPW was forced to abandon its tender process.
Mr O’Dea said that process had now re-commenced but that it may take some time before a contractor is appointed. “It is a fairly laborious process,” he added.
Cllr Breen said, “Its disappointing. This is the third year that this project has not started. Rate payers in the area are very concerned.”
The scheme will see improvements to river walls and other flood defenses on the Fergus from Bank Place to Doora Bridge. Phase one of the scheme is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.