Flood scheme updates

The proposed CFRAM flood relief scheme at Dundalk / Blackrock South, is estimated to cost €40.5 million, according to figures released by the Minister of State, Kevin Boxer Moran.

Louth County Council, working with the OPW, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk and Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects to be progressed.

The office for Minister Moran confirmed the projects would involve a series of hard defences, including flood embankments and walls, rock armour coastal protection, demountable barriers, road raising, a sluice gate and tanking of two properties, protecting 1,880 properties when completed.

Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd said he raised significant concerns with the Minister ‘ on the matter in particular in relation to the extremely high numbers referenced in County Louth’ for properties at risk of flooding.

‘ Whilst Louth has received considerable funding announcements as part of the CFRAM program, I’m concerned about the timescale on the implementation plans,’ said Deputy O’Dowd.

Minister Moran confirmed that the proposed flood relief scheme at Carlingford and Greenore, for which the CFRAM Programme estimated a total preliminary cost of €23.4 million would involve construction of a series of hard defences (flood embankments and walls) and two pumping stations, protecting 409 properties when completed.

‘OPW has established Engineering Consultancy Framework Agreements, which is available to Louth County Council to use to procure services to progress the design, development and planning of each project and which will help to speed up the process to construction.’

‘In addition, the Council has been provided with additional staffing resources by OPW to assist in the implementation of these schemes.