Background
The Flood Defence Scheme is being progressed as an Arterial Drainage Scheme as set out in the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. This legislation allows the OPW and its agents, Wexford County Council, to proceed with the construction of the scheme following Public Exhibition and Confirmation of the scheme by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Enniscorthy has a long history of flooding and following the extreme flood event which occurred in 2000, the Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Wexford County Council undertook a study of the flooding problem in the town.
A preliminary design for the scheme was developed and exhibited for public consultation in 2009. In response to feedback from the public, the design was improved and the scheme went on public display in 2012 and again in 2018. The detailed design has commenced and has taken into consideration the comments and suggestions received. The developed scheme was presented at the Public Exhibition in Enniscorthy Library from the 17th May to 18th June 2019.
The scheme details presented at the Public Exhibition can be viewed here: 2019 Public Exhibition Documents
Following the 2019 Public Exhibition and consideration of comments received, the scheme will go to the Minister for Confirmation. Subject to ministerial confirmation, it is expected to commence construction in 2020, with an estimated construction period of 3 years. The construction programme will be dependent on receipt of the relevant permits, licences and approvals, along with seasonal and environmental constraints.
Due to the diversity, complexity and aesthetic sensitivity of the engineering measures required, design consultants with proven specialist expertise have been engaged to carry out the detailed design of the scheme. Mott MacDonald Ireland is the main consultant for the Flood Defence Scheme. Mott MacDonald is experienced in the field of flood risk management in Ireland and are the consultants for the South Western Catchment Flood Risk Management and Assessment (CFRAM) Study. Kilkenny, Carrick on Suir, Clonmel and Bray are among their recently completed flood relief schemes. Mott MacDonald will be designing the flood defence and river engineering works and will be updating the Environmental Impact Assessment. Roughan O’Donovan are among Ireland’s most experienced Bridge Engineers. Projects that they have been involved in include the M1 Motorway Boyne Bridge, the William J Dargan, the James Joyce and the Samuel Beckett Bridges. Roughan & O’Donovan will be designing the new road bridge to the south of the town and preparing traffic management plans for the construction stage of the scheme and for the town following the completion of the works.
In order to assist the Consultants with their design, a number of specialist consultants will be engaged to address certain areas including; Architecture, Ecology, Fisheries and Cultural Heritage. Particular attention will be paid to the appearance of the works, the visual amenity of the riverscape, access to the river for fishing and canoeing and the amenity of the promenade.
