Kildare County Council to write to OPW over flood relief scheme for Celbridge and Hazelhatch

Kildare County Council is to write to the Office of Public Works (OPW) over the need for a flood relief scheme for Celbridge and Hazelhatch, Kildare.

The move follows a motion by Cllr David Trost (FF), tabled at a recent meeting of Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District.

Cllr Trost motioned: “That the council works with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to deliver a flood relief scheme for Celbridge and Hazelhatch (combined) that was to be carried out under

Tranche 2 of the OPW prioritisation.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Trost said that having read the council's report, he carried out some additional research and discovered that in 2020 there was a report issued on the matter.

This, he said, caused him to ask the question: “why has nothing happened since?”

Cllr Trost said that important questions needed to be answered.

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These included: what works had been carried out to remove blockages in the Celbridge/Hazelhatch area by the OPW or Kildare County Council following the findings of that report?; and what flood alleviation options were identified and were put in place since the report was issued?

Cllr Trost said he was “especially” thinking of the residents of Primrose Gate, St Patrick's National School, Celbridge GAA and the tennis club in relation to assistance in avoiding flooding in those areas.

He also asked if there are any further works planned by the OPW or KCC in the Hazelhatch and Celbridge area “in the short, the medium, or the long term?”

These were important questions, he pointed out, adding that perhaps an approach to the OPW was required to seek further clarification.

Supporting the motion, Cathaoirleach Cllr Rupert Heather (LAB) said that in his view, given the persistent and ongoing threat faced by Hazelhatch and Celbridge, it seemed “unbalanced” that Celbridge was not included in the flood relief plan.

“For a whole bunch of reasons, it should be”, he stated.

A council official reiterated what was stated in the council's report – that the works are “ongoing on the main schemes” but that there “aren't any plans for other ones at the moment.”

Cllr Trost noted the council's “disappointing answer”, and said that “as a minimum”, the local authority should be writing to the OPW, seeking clarification on what if any plans there are for the area.

Cllr Nuala Killeen (SD) asked that the council confirm with the OPW which areas are included in Tranche 2 (see report?), as other areas are also affected, she said.

Following agreement in the council, it was decided to write a letter to the OPW to determine which projects are included in Tranche 2.

A report issued by Kildare County Council stated: “Prioritisation of flood relief schemes is determined by the OPW. There is currently no potential scheme for the Celbridge and Hazelhatch, Area for Further Assessments (AFAs).

“The OPW has indicated that they will not approve the delivery of Tranche 2 Schemes until the Tranche 1 Schemes are substantially complete (i.e. Morell Flood Management Scheme (FMS), Athy Flood Relief Scheme (FRS), Naas (FRS) and Leixlip (FRS).

“The council does not have resources in place to progress flood relief schemes independent of OPW support.”