PATRICK O’Donovan, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), is delighted to announce that Louth County Council, in partnership with the OPW, has appointed RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd as Engineering Consultants to carry out the design of the Drogheda and Baltray Flood Relief Scheme.
The Drogheda and Baltray Flood Relief Scheme is being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, where the Government is providing an investment of €1 billion on flood relief over the next decade. When completed, these Schemes will afford protection to 249 residential and 205 non-residential properties from the 1-in-100-year flood event.
Making the announcement today, Minister O’Donovan stated:
“I am delighted that one year after appointing Consultant Engineers to carry out the design of the Dundalk, Blackrock South and Ardee Flood Relief Scheme, my Office and Louth County Council are now progressing a further important project in the County with the appointment of Consultants for the Drogheda and Baltray Flood Relief Scheme. This is an important investment for the two towns and the public will have the opportunity to engage with the schemes as they develop through extensive public consultation. I have no doubt that the OPW and the Council will continue to work closely together to bring this scheme to construction”.
Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Ms Joan Martin added:
“This is an important investment in flood defences for Drogheda Town and Baltray, the project will ultimately provide flood protection measures to properties and businesses in these areas and enhance the amenity value of one of the area’s greatest assets, the historic River Boyne. The project will further develop the hydrological, hydraulic and other assessments carried out for Drogheda & Baltray as part of the Eastern CFRAM Study and the Council will work closely with the OPW to bring this scheme to construction.
There will be a number of further public consultations, as the Project progresses through the Planning and Detailed Design all relevant Stakeholders will be fully consulted at the appropriate times”.
The proposed Flood Relief Scheme for Drogheda and Baltray consists of the construction of a series of hard defences, including flood embankments and walls along the River Boyne, improvement of conveyance, hard defences and a flow diversion channel on various tributaries, road raising and automated defences to allow continued operation of port activities.
