Major development in multi-million Limerick flood relief scheme
THE MULTI-MILLION King's Island Flood Relief Scheme has been given approval to go to tender, Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan confirmed to Limerick Live this Wednesday.
The minister of state with responsibility for Office of Public Works (OPW) said it will take a considerable period of time to build but work will start this summer.
“It is being funded by the Office of Public Works. It is a huge investment by the Government in Limerick city - the oldest part of the city and a place that is very vulnerable to climate change and rising water levels. It will be similar to the scheme in Athlone which has proved to be hugely successful,” said Mr O’Donovan.
He said over 500 properties in King’s Island will be protected from flooding when the scheme is completed.
“We will have a contractor in place shortly. It is a very significant scheme. It will be one of the biggest that we have undertaken in recent years,” said Mr O’Donovan.
King’s Island is surrounded by the waters of the River Shannon and the Abbey River. Both rivers are tidal at this location and the island is susceptible to both coastal and fluvial flood risk.
Very significant flooding occurred in Spring 2014 when the existing defences failed locally, both over-topping and through breach, allowing flood waters onto the Island and surrounding areas. The scale of flooding made local, national and international headlines at the time as residents had to be reduced from their homes.