Tuesday, November 18, 2014

EXASPERATED RIVERSIDE homes and business may be facing further days like those experienced over the weekend of flooding as there appears to be no Flood Relief Scheme start date on the horizon just yet.

In recent months, 2015 has been bandied about as the proposed start date for the scheme but with a detailed plan not yet finalised and public consultation and the tendering process to come, it seems unlikely that work will begin next year.

District Administrator David Minogue admitted that 2015 was an “ambitious” start date.

“2015 is the ambition. It may or may not be the case. There is a considerable process to take place yet. But the money is there for the €40m plan and it will be done.”

However, for those calling for some immediate action, particularly the dredging of the river bed, Mr. Minogue said that this was one aspect of the Flood Relief plan and commented that none of the singular aspects would be developed ahead of the official work commencement.

Instead, the council would be endeavouring to be well prepared and capable of managing any future flooding that may occur.

With some long range weather forecasts predicting further heavy rains for the winter, Enniscorthy may be facing more days like those witnessed in the town last week.

Commenting on the overall flood operation, Mr. Minogue said they were grateful for the cooperation of the public who were very patient and accepting of the situation. He also thanked the Gardai, Slaney Search and Rescue and the number of contractors who assisted in numerous ways of the weekend.

He remarked that Wexford Co. Council had put systems in place to deal with flooding including the deployment of 2,500 sandbags and road diversions.

“While this is not a situation we like seeing, it was well managed and we were grateful for all of the cooperation form the various groups.”

[For full and comprehensive coverage of the Enniscorthy flood, pick up this week’s Echo newspaper]