New public consultation on Ballinasloe flood relief scheme starts this week

A second public consultation period on options for a planned flood relief scheme in Ballinasloe will take place over a two-week period starting from tomorrow (Wednesday).

Information on the project will be available for members of the public to view at the civic offices and the public library in Ballinasloe between February 9 and February 23.

This follows on from an initial public consultation held in March 2020. The project details will also be publicly accessible via an online portal on the project website.

The Office of Public Works (OPW), working in partnership with Galway County Council, commissioned the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study in 2018.

The Shannon CFRAM study area included Ballinasloe as an 'area for further assessment' (AFA) and it concluded that a flood relief scheme would be viable and effective for the local community.

The OPW subsequently appointed design consultants Arup, and environmental consultants Ryan Hanley, to develop a viable flood relief scheme for Ballinasloe.

The purpose of this month's consultation is "to provide members of the public and key stakeholders with an update on the emerging potential options for the proposed scheme."

A questionnaire will be available at the venues and there will be an online portal to allow interested parties give feedback, make comments or observations, and submit queries.

Members of the project team will be available by appointment to answer queries via a dedicated phone line during the consultation period.

Project information leaflets are being delivered to businesses and households in Ballinasloe and the OPW and Galway County Council are encouraging members of the public and interested parties to engage with this consultation period.

Additional event and contact information is available through the project website.