Public consultations will be held within the next six weeks on a proposed €10 million flood defence scheme for The Claddagh and Galway city centre.
The proposed Galway City Flood Relief Scheme is likely to include the erection of a series of quay walls running from the docks area, via Long Walk and the Spanish Arch, and continuing on the other side of the River Corrib along the Claddagh Basin and Nimmo’s Pier.
The plan also proposes further flood defences near housing areas, and localised land and road raising in Salthill to cope with wave overtopping risks. More than 900 properties are expected to be protected from flooding under the plan.
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The news has been welcomed by Independent Galway West TD, Noel Grealish, who said it should finally “bring to an end the terrible flooding that comes about every few years, with serious consequences for businesses and homes.”
Dep Grealish acknowledged that there were “concerns about what type of quay wall would best fit in with the historic buildings” in the Spanish Arch area, but he said such issues can be discussed during the consultations.
Public consultation 'to the forefront'
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Along with the public consultations, a project website will be set up to provide up-to-date information on the project as it moves forward through its development. In reply to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Dep Grealish, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Michael McGrath said public consultation would be “to the forefront” during the development.
“There will be several such public engagement events throughout the course of the project,” said the minister, “both with the statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, and the general public before the final design is chosen in order to keep those living, working and visiting the city fully informed of developments.”
