This article is from page 22 of the 2012-11-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
OFFICIALS at Clare County Council remain confident that major flood relief works to protect homes and businesses in the south of Ennis will get the approval of An Bord Pleannála.
The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme will see works carried out in Ballybeg and St Flannan’s College areas of the town.
A bank of the River Fergus from Doora Bridge to Clarecastle will also be strengthened as part of the works.
Councillors in the Ennis Electoral Area were given a progress report on the project yesterday.
Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan told the meetings that the council had submitted an Environmental Impact Survey (EIS) to An Bord Pleannála. He said a number of statutory bodies, including the Railway Safety Commission, had made submissions on the project.
He told the meeting that an issue had arisen regarding the cost of the embankment works.
Asked about a timeframe for the works, Mr Tiernan said the council hoped to receive a decision from An Board Pleannála in January.
He said that depending on the length of the tender process, work on the project could be complete by 2014.
The project forms part of a series of flood relief works to be carried out on a phased basis in Ennis.
Phase one of the € 26 million Ennis Flood Relief Scheme, which involved works at Parnell Street and Mill Road, is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.
Phase two will see improvements to river walls and other flood defenses on the Fergus from Bank Place to Doora Bridge. The work will include the construction of new structural embankments, preformed reinforced concrete walls and three storm water pumping stations.
Mr Tiernan said the tender process is nearing completion and that 2014 is a “realistic target for completion at this stage”.