CFRAM report recommends €16m works for Drogheda

A series of new flood risk management works could help to protect up to 381 properties in the Drogheda area, the July meeting of Louth County Council heard yesterday (Monday).

An update on the CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk and Management) report was presented to councillors, outlining the area where works are being proposed.

In Louth the areas are Carlingford/Greenore, Dundalk and Blackrock South, Drogheda, Ardee and Baltray.

Director of Service, Catherine Duff outlined that an estimated €16.83 million would need to be spent in Drogheda on works, including embankments, walls, localised raising of roads and automated defences for the port area.

Works in the Baltray area would be at an estimated cost of €1.93 million, which would include flood embankments and walls up to 1.05kilometres.

There were also 73 properties which would be protected as a result of the works being carried out.

Cllr. Frank Godfrey welcomed the plans saying that it was ‘good news for Drogheda’ as a lot of properties would benefit

Cllr. Paul Bell welcomed the presentation saying all of the issues councillors had been talking about were addressed in the plan. But he added ‘I think it needs to be appreciated this is a really massive undertaking.

Cllr Peter Savage aired his concerns that the necessary funding would be made available, adding ‘The OPW has no reputation for moving speedily. Are we just living in hope that the money will come?’

Ms. Duff said the council are at an ‘early engagement stage’ with the OPW and are awaiting further update.

The County Manager said that she had indicated the urgency to the OPW, particularly for Dundalk and Drogheda, which were among the most critical.

Cllr. Richie Culhane added a warning that ‘unscrupulous insurance companies would use this plan to load large premiums on people living in these areas. I feel as a council we should highlight this.’