THE Office of Public Works (OPW) have been urged to draw up a Flood Relief Scheme in Abbeyfeale from the Mart Bridge towards the rear of Abbey United Soccer Club’s grounds.
The challenge was laid down by Fine Gael councillor and Abbeyfeale native Liam Galvin, who also called for the Limerick City and County Council to request the OPW assist with the dredging of the River Feale from both locations at this month’s Newcastle West area meeting.
Cllr Galvin was informed that following a review of the CFRAM study, which evaluated flood risk management options nationwide, the only viable measures identified for Abbeyfeale were the baseline measure ‘Do Nothing’ and the non-structural measure ‘Public Awareness’.
“However, neither of these measures were considered viable in providing the required one per cent Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) event design standard of flood protection,” the Council explained.
As part of its commitment to addressing flood risk, Limerick City and County Council told Cllr Galvin that it would explore with the OPW whether a reassessment of the area can be undertaken, taking into account any recent data, developments, or emerging risks.
“It is important to note that, due to the presence of the River Feale Special Area of Conservation (SAC), dredging the river unlikely to be viable due to concerns with regard to the longterm sustainability and effectiveness in flood risk reduction of this measure, in addition to the likely potential for significant negative impacts on the SAC and surrounding environment,” the councillor was told.
