Flood defence funding confirmed but no start date
THERE IS still no estimated start date in sight for work to begin on the Enniscorthy Flood Relief scheme, however, Minister James Browne has confirmed that a budget of €50.7m for the proposed works is still available.
In response to a query from Minister Browne, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, said: ‘While it is not possible to give a construction start date until such time as the scheme is formally confirmed, Wexford County Council and the OPW are working together to ensure that the procurement of a contractor for the flood relief works will be completed as soon as practicable after the confirmation of the scheme.’
The overall budget for the scheme is €50.7m and provision of that has been made in the OPW’s multi-annual Capital Budget.
In welcoming the news that the money for the scheme remains available, Minister Browne said the works will not just provide peace of mind for business owners who have long been plagued by flooding problems but that the project will enhance the aesthetic quality of the town.
‘It’s going to be more than just a flood relief scheme because it will enhance the overall look of the quayfront in the town,’ Minister Browne told this newspaper yesterday (Monday).
He said a lot of work went into the preliminary stages of planning for the project and discussions had taken place with all major stakeholders in the town to ensure that once completed the scheme will enhance the ability of organisations like Slaney Search & Rescue to carry out its work.
However, the news that a projected start date is still unknown – and won’t be until ministerial approval is given – will no doubt frustrate a lot of people in the town.
Local councillors have expressed concern over the fact that the project has been delayed and are anxious that work on the scheme begins as soon as possible.
‘At the moment, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform awaits the response of independent consultants regarding the review of the flood defence scheme’s environmental impact assessment,’ said Minister Browne.
‘Once the independent consultants approve the scheme’s progress, and the scheme receives formal departmental confirmation, a contractor for the flood defence scheme will be procured as soon as possible,’ he added.
Minister Browne acknowledged that businesses and residences badly need protection from the impact of floods and said that since being elected to the Dáil in 2016, he has consistently called for speedy progress of the scheme.
‘New EU regulations required a further step in the development process,’ he said.
That was in reference to the fact that when the project was submitted for approval in March this year, new EU regulations had come into effect which meant the project had to go back to national consultation and then independent assessment.
‘Thankfully, it appears the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will see progress in respect of the environmental impact assessment report review in the next two months,’ said Minister Browne.
‘It’s great news that funding of €50.7 million remains ready for this significant project within the OPW’s multi-annual capital budget,’ he added.
He went on to say that while the delay is regrettable it’s important that the scheme does its job: ‘It’s for 100 years flooding so we need to ensure it’s 100 per cent right.’
The statutory public consultation period required in relation to the project was recently completed by Minister McGrath’s department and any relevant observations are now being considered.
The department is engaging with independent consultants to review the submissions received together with a review of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) prepared by the OPW and the Natura Impact Statement submitted by the OPW as part of the formal confirmation process.
It’s expected the DPER will revert to the OPW within the next month in relation to the above matters.
One of the people who has been most vocal in expressing concern about the project going ahead is Cllr Jackser Owens. He said that while confirmation of the money for the scheme being in place is to be welcomed it’s not good news for the town because the start date remains out of sight.
‘We need the scheme to begin,’ said Cllr Owens. ‘We don’t need it kicked down the road further and that’s all that’s been happening.’
Cllr Owens said he’s been in properties affected by flooding and saw people ‘put their entire lives into skips because of water damage’.
‘It’s not good news because the money has been there since 2011, or so we were told,’ said Cllr Owens.
‘This has been talked about for 30 years and to hear the minister has still not signed off on it is not good news,’ he added.
‘We do not want more excuses, we don’t want further displays and consultations, what we want and what we need is for the scheme to be put in place to prevent flooding from happening again.’
Cllr Owens also highlighted the fact that in recent years the town has been badly affected by flooding on five occasions.
‘We are entering the time when we can expect a storm every fortnight and we’re nearly running out of alphabet letters to name them at this stage,’ said Cllr Owens.
‘People are worried and I would be too if I was living in the areas that flood or had a business there,’ he added. ‘This has been going on too long and people have been waiting to long; it needs to be done immediately.’
PEOPLE ARE WORRIED AND I WOULD BE TOO IF I WAS LIVING IN THE AREAS THAT FLOOD... THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON TOO LONG