Funding has been approved to identify the cause and find a possible solution to issues of flooding at Bridgemeadows. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved funding of €44,218 for a feasibility study which, upon completion, will provide a cost benefit analysis on whether or not to carry out a flood relief scheme in the area.
exford County Council lodged an application to carry out the feasibility study under the Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme which was introduced in 2009 to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
Announcing the funding, Minister of State James Browne TD said, “I’m delighted to confirm the approval of funding. The feasibility study related to flooding in Bridgemeadows, Enniscorthy will soon get underway. I’m sure this will be a great relief to the Bridgemeadows residents. I will certainly keep working with my government colleagues to prioritise any solutions that may arise on foot of this feasibility study.”
Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Works that are normally the responsibility of the local authorities will generally not be considered for OPW funding. Where such works would also mitigate the risk of flooding to properties, partial funding may be considered by OPW. The local authorities must be satisfied that the works will not have a significant impact on flood risk elsewhere.
