Maintenance Works Commence on River Shannon

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., today visited the New Cut in Meelick, Co. Galway where maintenance works have commenced on the River Shannon.

These works which are being carried out by Waterways Ireland on behalf of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group will enhance the conveyance capacity and navigation on the river channel. Works will commence at five locations along the Shannon during the current environmental season, starting on the Mid-Shannon near Meelick, Co. Galway to be followed by work on the North Shannon in Roscommon and Leitrim. Each of these works projects will take approximately six weeks to complete.

The nature of these projects require working in-stream to remove the overhanging trees, branches, and undergrowth that encroach on the river and impede the flow of water along the channel. The relevant reporting with regard to Appropriate Assessments has been completed in advance of this work commencing view here

Minister O’Donovan said:

“Through the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group, the OPW works closely with all State Agencies involved in the River Shannon to introduce measures that can assist with managing flood risk in the catchment. I welcome the commencement of this work which will improve channel conveyance on the Shannon. This demonstrates one element of the co-operation that exists amongst the State agencies that comprise the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group. I would like to thank Waterways Ireland for undertaking this important work on behalf of the Group. The Group is also advancing a number of other initiatives to assist with managing flood risk on the River Shannon, including a project for the removal of a series of constrictions or “pinch points” in the Shannon Callows area.”

The Minister went on to say

“In addition to these works, the OPW, in partnership with local authorities, has completed 12 flood relief schemes for the Shannon area. A further 37 flood relief schemes are being advanced under the Government’s €1.3bn investment in flood relief measures over the lifetime of the National Development Plan. Schemes are under construction at Ennis South, Athlone & Springfield at this time. Collectively, all of these schemes when completed will protect 95% of those properties identified as being at significant risk from flooding.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie .

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Notes to Editors

Location of Works

1. New Cut downstream of Marlborough Sluices and upstream of the access bridge to Victoria Lock, Co. Galway

2. Cuilticonway upstream of Ardnaffrin, near Jamestown, Co. Leitrim

3. Rooskey Weir, Co. Roscommon

4. Port, downstream of Leitrim Village, Co. Leitrim

5. Lack, upstream of Termonbarry, Co. Roscommon

Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by the Government in January 2016 to enhance the on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon.

Activities of the Group

To add to the overall flood protection from flood relief schemes, the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group has taken several significant decisions since its establishment.

Its work to date includes:

• the development of an annual Work Programme which highlights the extensive range of activities planned by each member of the Group which facilitates enhanced co-ordination to assist with managing flood risk along the River Shannon,

• the completion of targeted maintenance activities at five locations which has enhanced the conveyance capacity and halted further deterioration of the channel,

• trialling the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen to help mitigate potential flood risk.

• the completion of a study to examine the cause, rate and degree of restrictions downstream of Parteen Weir in the Lower Shannon. Further work is underway to assess the options and to identify the preferred measures for the area,

• the completion of a preliminary assessment on the potential for a programme of strategic maintenance for the River Shannon,

• the completion of a study to examine the benefits of removing constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Callows region,

• secured Government support for the OPW to provide funding of €7m to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for Waterways Ireland to implement, on behalf of the Group, a co-ordinated strategic programme of maintenance activities for the River Shannon and for the removal of constrictions in the Callows region.

Membership of the Group

Members of the Group are at CEO level or equivalent representing the following State Agencies:

• The Office of Public Works

• Local Authorities, represented by the County and City Management Association

• Waterways Ireland

• Electricity Supply Board

• Inland Fisheries Ireland

• Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

• Bord na Móna

• Environmental Protection Agency

• Irish Water

The terms of reference for the Group are available at gov.ie/opw

Meetings of the Group

Documentation including the Agenda, Minutes and other material relating to each meeting of the Group is available at gov.ie/opw