Limerick flood defence plans to be unveiled

MEMBERS of the public in Limerick are being called on to have their say on plans for a flood relief in the King’s Island area.

City Hall will play host to an information day this Wednesday, where the plans to stop the Shannon overflowing onto the Island Bank will be unveiled.

It will take place between 11am and 3pm, and comes almost fo​ur years after flooding blighted the community. There will also be a separate information session from 5pm to 8pm at the King’s Island community centre.

Limerick City and County Council has appointed the Arup JBA team to assess, develop and design a sustainable flood alleviation scheme for the Island Bank.

It aims to minimise risk of flooding to the existing community, social amenity, environment and landscape following on from the wall at Verdant Place.

Kieran O’Gorman, project manager with Limerick City and County Council said: “This is an important point in the project as it marks the last opportunity for providing feedback before the project team starts finalising the preferred option for submission to An Bord Pleanála for planning permission next year.”

Declan White, th​e project manager with Arup JBA added: “The scheme will be a combination of flood walls and embankments which have been designed to stretch from the north end of Verdant Place, tying into with the completed works, around St. Mary’s Park, along Sir Harry’s Mall and George’s Quay.”

He also said glass walls will be installed and link with the historic walls around King John’s Castle.

The design has come about following extensive hydraulic, ecological and geotechnical analysis.

Following completion of the scheme, the whole Island will be benefit from a one  in 200 year standard of protection; a height in excess of the 2014 flood.

A short film showing a 3D fly-over of the flood scheme, will be available at these information sessions.