Solution for flooding at Ballycar on Ennis-Limerick rail line in development
A solution report is being finalised by Irish Rail for issue of flooding at Ballycar Lough
A technical feasibility solution report into solving the flooding issue on the Ennis to Limerick rail line at Ballycar Lough is "now being finalised" by Irish Rail.
That's according to Clare County Council's senior engineer in the Roads, Environment and Water Services department, Cyril Feeney.
Mr Feeney made these remarks at the recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, on Wednesday, March 20.
He was responding to a motion from Fianna Fáil councillor Alan O’Callaghan asking that the MD "revisit the on-going issue of the possibility of flooding at Ballycar railway track."
Rail services have been suspended and bus transfers are in place between Limerick and Ennis since Monday, March 18, due to the high levels of flooding at Ballycar, until further notice.
Cllr O'Callaghan's motion also called for a full survey and costings to be carried out to "eliminate any further closer in the future".
In his reply to Cllr O'Callaghan's motion, Mr Feeney stated that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development had requested a technically feasible solution be developed for the flooding issue on the Limerick/Galway rail line at Ballycar.
From this a steering group and working group were set up, comprised of representatives from Irish Rail, the Office of Public Works (OPW), Clare County Council (CCC), Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), National Parks & Wildlife Services (NPWS) and Geological Survey Ireland (GSI).
As the main stakeholder and lead agency Irish Rail commissioned consulting engineers RPS to carry out a study and to develop a technical feasibility solution report with them, which has yet to be published.
"The next steps would then be for Irish Rail to secure a funding source and the appointment of consultants to prepare a preliminary design," Mr Feeney continued.
"This then would be followed by detailed design, environmental assessments, land acquisition and statutory approvals including the planning process."