Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, TD, Minister of State at the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief (OPW) recently launched the website for the River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme (RPFAS). The website will offer up-to-date information and news on the combined River Poddle initiative of the OPW, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) and Dublin City Council (DCC). The River Poddle has caused extensive flooding in the region in the past, costing life and causing damage to resources and businesses. The RPFAS aims to address this and provide added protection to property along the river. On the 28th March 2018, Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd. was appointed as design consultants for the RPFAS. When completed, this scheme will provide protection to in excess of 800 properties along the River Poddle in the SDCC and DCC areas. This project is an adaptation action by SDCC and DCC in response to future threats posed by climate change. The scheme is estimated to cost in the region of €7 million and is funded by the OPW.
Work is currently progressing on both the preliminary design stage and with environmental studies. A Part 10 planning application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanala following a public consultation process. The OPW, SDCC and DCC are working together on this project with construction work expected to start in late 2019 or early 2020. Speaking at the launch, Minister Moran said, “Flood events around the country have highlighted the destruction and loss that flooding can cause to people and their property. Since my appointment as Minister of State at the OPW and Flood Relief last year, I, along with the staff in the OPW and Local Authorities, have been working to implement effective measures that will address this major issue. I am sure this scheme will provide peace of mind and a sense of security to the residents of South Dublin against any threatened future flood events.”
