Flood relief works for county Kilkenny town moves one step closer

A long-awaited prevention project for a county Kilkenny town ravaged by floods has moved another step forward.

The Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme has made its way to the national planning authority, An Bord Pleanála looking for permission to begin the project.

The €9 million flood relief scheme will come as a great relief to residents in Graiguenamanagh who suffered terribly in the aftermath of the damage caused by Storm Deirdre.

The scheme will see flood prevention works built in both the Duiske and the Barrow Rivers, with enhancements to the public realm, if given the go ahead.

The project, a joint undertaking by Kilkenny County Council and Carlow County Council, is part of a €1bn national fund announced by the Government for flood relief schemes throughout the Country in 2018.

Last year the Office of Public Works, along with Kilkenny County Council signed a contract with Byrne Looby Partners to develop the scheme for Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch in county Carlow.

There are five further schemes to be progressed in county Kilkenny in the coming years, the Ballyhale Scheme, the Piltown scheme, the Inistioge scheme, the Thomastown scheme and the Freshford scheme.

A decision on whether the project can progress is due from An Bord Pleanála early next year.