€90,000 secured for flood works and coastal protection in Passage East
Funding has been granted to Waterford City and County Council for a flood study in the Passage East area following serious flooding earlier this year
A grant of €90,000 has been awarded to Waterford City and County Council, for a flood study of the Brook stream and the adjacent catchment area in the Passage East area.
The Office of Public Works officially approved the Council’s application for funding under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme with the allocation being awarded on Monday, August 10.
The news has already been welcomed by Waterford TD and government Cheif Whip Mary Butler, who said the brook has become "unpredictable" in recent years, with widespread flooding in the vicinity affecting many residents earlier this year.
“Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD visited Passage East with me at that time to witness flood and storm damage first hand and to engage directly with residents," she said, “Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive Seán McKeown and Director of Services Gabriel Hynes also heard from residents that day and gained a keen insight into the issues and vulnerabilities of at-risk areas."
“I want to commend Minister Moran for his engagement on this issue and for immediately recognising the urgent necessity of flood mitigation works in the Passage area. Credit is due also to Waterford Council for their commitment to identify and bring forward interim flood defences through programmes such as the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme."
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection scheme was introduced to the Office of Public Works in 2009.
Since then, 21 funding applications by Waterford City and County Council have been supported under the scheme, including the provision of €141,525 in late April to facilitate the implementation of interim flood protection measures at Passage East, Tallow and the Colligan river.
A grant of €72,000 was allocated for a flood study and associated works on the Colligan river, while €67,000 was allocated to surveys in Tallow and Passage East to identify short-term measures, such as flood protection barriers and flood doors, in an effort to protect homes and businesses from the increasing flood risks.
