€55m Ballina Flood Relief Scheme progressing as Minister Moran visits Mayo

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) announced today, December 22, that Mayo County Council has instructed its engineering consultants for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme to commence the detailed design (Stage 3).

Speaking in Ballina today, Minister Moran said: “I am very pleased to announce that commencing the detailed design for the €55m Ballina Flood Relief Scheme will allow for the appointment of contractors in 2027. I want to acknowledge the support from the Ballina community that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for its town, which will protect 297 properties including 228 residential and family homes at risk from flooding. This public engagement has ensured that the needs of the community have been addressed in the design of the scheme.”

Today’s announcement follows the planning approval for Ballina Flood Relief Scheme issued by An Coimisiún Pleanála on October 17. The submission for planning included a very detailed engineering analysis, environmental assessment and engagement with the public on the sources of flooding from Ballina’s rivers and the options to protect the town. As part of the planning submission, a Marine Area Consent was obtained from the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA).

Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive, Mayo County Council said: "I welcome the progress to date of this much anticipated flood relief scheme. Mayo County Council, as lead authority for this flood relief scheme have recently secured planning approval and are currently within the Compulsory Purchase Order, CPO, process through An Coimisiún Pleanála. Progressing to stage 3 detailed design is a major step forward in the scheme.

Mayo County Council, as the principal response agency for flood events, have dealt with numerous instances of flooding in Ballina town over the past number of years. Flooding has been a major barrier to development of the town core along the river. Completion of this scheme will allow developments to progress, providing much needed housing and commercial developments within the town centre. We will continue to assist the OPW throughout the design and construction phases, minimising the impact of construction on the local community and providing much needed protection for the properties and public infrastructure at risk."

Ballina experiences regular flooding from the River Moy and its tributaries through a combination of river bank overflow and wall seepage. In 2018, following the Government’s introduction of Flood Risk Management Plans, Mayo County Council with funding from the OPW appointed RPS engineering and environmental consultants to design a flood relief scheme for Ballina.

The scheme design for Ballina provides for the construction of flood defence walls, construction of embankments and culvert upgrades along the River Moy and the Quignamanger, Bunree, Brusna, Tullyegan and Knockanelo tributaries.

Minister Moran concluded by stating: “The Government is investing €94m in flood risk management across Mayo and that Ballina is one of three flood relief schemes for the county. A €2m Flood Relief Scheme is already in place in Westport in the Cois Abhainn & Ashwood estates, protecting 36 properties. A €34m flood relief scheme at Crossmolina has commenced construction by the OPW and will protect 116 properties.”

The cost of these schemes will be met from the Government’s commitment to managing Ireland’s flood risk through the commitment to funding of the flood relief measures set out in the National Development Plan. The design of this and all flood relief schemes is future proofed and is adaptable to meet the increasing flood risk from climate change.

In addition to these major schemes, the OPW has approved approximately €2.3m to Mayo County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for localised flood relief works across 37 other locations in the county.

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