Minister of State and Clare Tony Killeen has welcomed the announcement that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has placed a contract for the Civil Engineering Works associated with the River Fergus Upper (Ennis) Flood Relief Scheme.

Mr Killeen said that the commencement of work on the first phase of the €26m Flood Relief Scheme was a significant moment in the town’s history, as it heralded the delivery of a solution to a centuries-old problem.

He said: “Major flood events have taken place in the County Capital on and off throughout the centuries. We have seen parts of the town centre flood in more recent years, including 1989, 1994, 1995, 1999 and, to a lesser extent, in 2004.

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"Without the development and implementation of a flood relief plan there is no doubt that the town will incur further flooding, which has disastrous financial and personal consequences for local residents and business owners.”

He added: “The contract provides for the widening of the river channel, construction of new walls and improvements to existing walls, construction of pumping stations, and refurbishment and replacement of the existing sluice gate upstream at Mill Bridge. These works will take twelve months to complete.”

The Civil Engineering Works contract has been awarded to Carillion Irishenco Ltd of Kill, County Kildare and is valued at over €5.185m. The overall Flood Relief Scheme for the town has been broken into two schemes (Upper and Lower) and has a total Project Cost (both schemes) estimated at €26m.

(VB)