OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Clonmel Flood Relief Schemes, Second Phase, Given the Go-Ahead
Tuesday July 6th, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
Dr. Martin Mansergh, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, is delighted to announce that the Minister for Finance, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts, has formally approved the Clonmel North and Clonmel East Flood Relief Schemes, which will be constructed simultaneously. Tenders for the works have been received by OPW, and they are currently in the process of finalising the procurement of a civil engineering contractor. It is expected that the appointed contractor will commence work by late August or early September. Construction is expected to take about two years.
The works on this phase will also include new sheet piled and reinforced concrete walls and embankments, new culverts, some channel widening, the replacement of two bridges, pumping stations, and alterations and improvements to the drainage system. Again, provision will be made for the erection of demountable defences. The overall scheme for Clonmel, when completed, will benefit approximately 568 properties. An early flood warning system, which has already been of benefit in recent flood events, is being developed by OPW for the River Suir.
The Minister of State, Dr Martin Mansergh, commented: "When complete, the severe flooding that occurred in 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2008, and twice in 2009 should become a thing of the past, with protection against flooding being provided, with only a 1 in 100 year chance of the defences being exceeded. The defences are so designed, that they can be further raised at relatively little additional cost, should there subsequently be a clear need to do this, for reasons of climate change or otherwise. Obviously, my hope is that no flooding occurs in the short term, and even if it does, its impact will be mitigated in areas where the defences are already complete. The completion of flood defences will make a huge difference to the heart of Clonmel, and open up new possibilities for development and amenity use. I am very pleased to have been able to ensure, even in these difficult times, that the necessary funding has been provided on a basis of objective need. I would like to thank again the local authority and all the emergency services for the flood relief work they have repeatedly carried out with such efficiency, but I now hope that this call on them, and the trials of the people in the affected areas will soon become a thing of the past."
Ends.
For further information contact: -
Neil Ryan, OPW Press Officer, (046) 942 6128 or (087) 947 5552