Contracts signed for €9 million Kilkenny town flood relief scheme

The contracts for the €9 million flood relief scheme for a county Kilkenny town which has been particularly badly hit by flooding has finally being signed.

This will come as a great relief to residents in Graiguenamanagh who suffered terribly in the aftermath of the damage caused by Storm Deirdre.

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

Today the Office of Public Works, along with Kilkenny County Council signed the contract with Byrne Looby Partners to advance and implement a Flood Relief Scheme for Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch, county Carlow.

The town has long been affected by flooding events from both the Barrow and Duiske Rivers.

Back Row: Padraig O’Gorman, Director of Services, Carlow County Council, Tim Butler, Director of Services, Kilkenny County Council, Emir Slattery, Senior Executive Engineer, Kilkenny County Council, Joe Scully, Executive Engineer, Kilkenny County Council. Front Row: Cllr. John Pender, Cathaoirleach Carlow County Council, Kieran Thornton, Byrne Looby Partners, Colette Byrne, Chief Executive, Kilkenny County Council and Cllr. Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, Cathaoirleach Kilkenny County Council.

Speaking at the signing of the contract Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Cllr. Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere said:

“Today marks a new dawn for the people of Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch. This Flood Relief Scheme will alleviate the risk of Flooding to the entire Community and one that is technically, socially, environmentally and economically acceptable.  It will see works in both the Duiske and the Barrow Rivers and enhancements to the public realm with an estimated overall investment of over €9million.”

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