Absence of maps for Ennis flood relief scheme confuses councillors

*Flooding in Clareabbey from February 2020. Photograph: Joe Buckley

FRUSTRATION has been voiced with the continued absence flood maps to represent the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme.

First tendered for in 2017, the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme began construction in March 2019. In June 2019 two separate ground slippages occurred on existing embankments in the Clareabbey area of the River Fergus, the OPW said, which revealed “ground conditions were considerably worse than expected”. The discovery had seen the budget jump from €10.8m, VAT-inclusive, in 2018, to €19.7m.

Timelines issued in February targeted a conclusion of works on the scheme in August, a deadline that has been missed.

OPW were requested by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) to issue updated maps representing the flood relief works completed at Toberteascain “so that our next County Development Plan will benefit therefrom, and not be hindered by their absence”.

Flood maps which will detailing the areas that will benefit the scheme are not yet completed nor is the scheme itself, senior engineer Seán Lenihan outlined. Scheme consultants Ryan Hanley and specialist hydrological consultants, Hydro Environmental are currently working on the maps.

Once completed and reviewed by the Council, they will then be forwarded to the OPW for their consideration and approval. After this, they will be made publicly available and may be used by the Insurance Industry and indeed the Planning Authority as a tool to inform further in relation to particular locations. The maps will be “useful in considering any potential submissions” received as part of the Development Plan.

As efforts to prepare the County Development Plan continue, Cllr Colleran Molloy stressed, “we want to ensure we adequately zone lands for all needs most especially housing of all types”. She interpreted from the response that the Plan will not be hindered without the maps. Mapping “will be instrumental to help homeowners get home insurance,” the Quin native said.

Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) reminded the meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that he tabled a similar motion in February. “I believe the maps will be available online in the spring time, it will assist us with the County Development Plan.

Up to €14m has been spent on the construction of the scheme “but low and behold there are no maps, I can’t understand it,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) lamented. “It is important that the OPW release these maps, I know one particular person who has land and is interested in getting it zoned,” he added. “I can’t understand the dragging of feed to produce maps when lives are at stake,” Cllr Ann Norton (IND) commented.

Over the past 26 years, “nearly €40m has been spent on flood relief all around the town of Ennis,” Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) calculated. He recalled his involvement in the establishment of the Ennis Flood Action Group following a flood at his home in 1995. “Serious problems below the Barrage” remain a concern, he warned, “the bridge needs to be strengthened and the option of relocating needs to be looked at”.