Nenagh River floods again

Relief scheme to protect 60 properties

The heavy rainfall of the last week brought flooding to many parts of the county and prompted renewed demand for a flood relief scheme in Nenagh.

The Nenagh River burst its banks, rendering the river walkway impassable and leaving many residents, farmers and business owners along its length fearing flooding. Nenagh Leisure Centre and the adjacent playground were flooded, forcing the centre to close for two days, though it was able to reopen on Saturday after the rain eased. The town’s wastewater treatment plant was also at risk of flooding.

While there were signs of the floodwater receding this week, this was far from the first time that areas surrounding the river were at risk, and local representatives have expressed concern over the situation.

Cllr Séamie Morris pointed out that a flood relief scheme for Nenagh was announced by the Government five years ago. This he said was to have had multi-annual funding, though the scheme never went ahead. He sought a formal response from Tipperary Co Council on the matter.

“As I sit here writing this email, several parts of Nenagh are at high risk of flooding due to the intense rain over the last few days,” Cllr Morris wrote last week. “Can I ask why the flood relief scheme never happened as promised?”

MAJOR SCHEME

He was informed by Nenagh Municipal District Director Liam Brett that the council is working with the OPW on developing a new scheme for Nenagh.

“The scope and complexity of the Nenagh Flood Relief Scheme have evolved significantly since the original commitment in December 2020,” Mr Brett replied.

“Following detailed reviews and engagement between the OPW and Tipperary County Council, the scheme was formally reclassified in September 2023 from a ‘small project’ to a major flood relief scheme. This decision reflects the scale of works required, the inclusion of critical infrastructure, and the need for robust governance and resources for a capital project of such magnitude.”

Mr Brett said the OPW has recently completed site surveys and a steering group has been set up to oversee delivery of the flood relief scheme.

A design team is to be appointed for option identification and preliminary design of the scheme.

“Both the OPW and Tipperary County Council are committed to delivering a solution that provides long-term flood protection for the community,” Mr Brett stated.

‘WE CANNOT WAIT’

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil TD Ryan O’Meara contacted the Taoiseach’s office as well as Tipperary Co Council over the flooding seen in Nenagh last week.

“Parts of Nenagh have once again faced flooding, and I feel the pressure and uncertainty the flooding has caused to businesses, farmers and homeowners,” Deputy O’Meara stated.

“No one should have to watch rising waters threaten their homes and businesses, and worry each year as we enter a period of unsettled weather.”

He sought an update on the flood relief scheme and stressed the need to progress the scheme as “an absolute priority”.

Deputy O’Meara said he was advised that “the flooding challenges in Nenagh are more complex than originally anticipated”. He reported that the OPW is currently working through the technical aspects of the scheme, with the appointment of engineering and environmental consultants scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year.

“A detailed delivery programme, aimed at protecting approximately 60 properties, will be available once consultants are appointed,” Deputy O’Meara advised.

“Residents and business owners deserve certainty and peace of mind, and I am committed to ensuring this work moves forward as quickly as possible,” he continued, adding that the events of recent days underscore the urgency of this work.

“The flooding we have seen today is a stark reminder of why this scheme must move forward without delay,” Deputy O’Meara stated last Thursday. “People need reassurance that solutions are coming, and I will continue to push for steady progress on their behalf.”

He added: “I will keep working closely with officials and with Cllr JP O’Meara at local level to ensure these essential works are prioritised and completed as soon as possible. We simply cannot wait for the next flood.”

‘WHERE WAS THE MONEY SPENT?’

But Labour TD Alan Kelly is also asking about what happened to the flood relief scheme funding for Nenagh.

“Following a 2020 report from the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme on flooding risks in Nenagh, it was announced that a flood relief scheme for the town would commence with multi-yearly funding in place to develop solutions,” he stated this week.

Deputy Kelly said a number of potentially viable works were identified for Nenagh, including construction of a new 480m embankment along Nenagh River to defend properties; replacement of a culvert on Benedine Stream with hydraulic control to limit flows downstream during flood events, and a flood forecasting unit on Nenagh River.

“Unfortunately, this work never commenced, so I’m asking the question: Why didn’t it? Where was the money spent instead of Nenagh?

“Following recent downfalls of rains, we have seen that the Nenagh River has burst its banks yet again and homes and businesses and premises are now again being flooded in Nenagh. The leisure centre was closed and the town park closed and damaged.

“We all know that given climate change, this is going to keep happening. It is unappealable that funding can be announced and then for five years virtually nothing has happened.

“This work needs to be done by the OPW working with Tipperary County Council and prioritised. I’ll be making sure that the Minister for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran is aware of these issues again and pressurising the Government to fulfil the promise to complete this work so that homes, business and community infrastructure is no longer affected. This is intolerable and can’t continue,” Deputy Kelly stated.