Contract signed for flood works

Much-anticipated flood relief works in the Watery Road/Elm Park area of the town have moved a step closer this week. Ennis Town Council has signed a contract with Ward & Burke Construction for the works, which are now due to begin at the end of this month.

The need for flood-alleviation works to be carried out at Watery Road, Elm Park and Oakwood Drive was identified in the Ennis Main Drainage & Flood Study Preliminary Report.

The area experienced serious flooding in November 2009. The approximately €307,000 project is being financed primarily by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, with additional funding coming from Clare Local Authorities. Work on the project is scheduled to commence at the end of January, subject to river levels.

Welcoming the contract signing, Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Peter Considine, stated, “I would like to compliment Clare local authorities for their ongoing efforts to improve flood defences throughout Ennis, particularly in those areas that were badly affected by severe flooding in late 2009. I look forward to these works being completed, which will be very much welcomed by the residents of Watery Road, Oakwood Drive and Elm Park.”

Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer, Ennis Town Council, explained the contract between the council and Ward & Burke Construction Ltd involves the construction of 400m of new river embankment and a pump station.

“There will be minimal disruption to vehicular traffic during the construction period as the works will be carried out on lands adjacent to the Rover Fergus. It is anticipated that work will commence at the end of this month, subject to river levels,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Dea confirmed the OPW is expected to announce the awarding of a contract for the River Fergus Lower ­(Ennis) Drainage Scheme, from Bank Place Bridge to Doora Bridge, in the coming weeks.