Flood works will not end until 2024
Athlone's flood relief scheme looks set to drag on until 2024, it's been revealed, despite the OPW confirming that that 81% of the project is complete.
With the river rising and a long winter ahead, it was hoped that the flood defences plan, which started back in 2017, would be in place by now, notwithstanding the Covid delays. Initially, it was estimated to take three years to finish the flood protection measures for the town.
Now, however, the public faces the prospect of that project dragging on well into next year, with one project not finished until 2024. At the same time two other large projects in the town centre are due to start soon, namely the refurbishment of Mardyke Street/Sean Costello Street and the start of a major Irish Water upgrade of the drainage system in The Strand and Golden Island.
The current Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, complained recently that it was “simply not good enough” that the flood protection scheme continued to drag on.
In response to a query from the Westmeath Independent on the timeline for completion of remaining flood works, The Office of Public Works, who are the main contractors, said “significant progress” has been made with approximately 81% of the length of the flood defences now complete, which, it says when complemented by “any necessary temporary interventions by Westmeath County Council this winter if the need arises, will provide an excellent flood defence to Athlone”.
The government body confirmed to this paper that works at The Strand and Marine View will not be completed until the second quarter of 2023, with Deerpark estimated to be finished in the third quarter of next year.
The Quay and Brick Island is due to concluded sometime in the first quarter or three months of 2023, however, it is estimated to be the second half of 2024 before the flood defences in Golden Island area are done.
On hearing the new timelines, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke commented that it is “very disappointing” to hear that Marine View will take another nine months.
“There were no delays there apart from Covid and it's been a building site at both locations (Marine View) for a very long time.”
“The Quay has been stop-start since 2018, the wall cladding contractors took almost a whole year to get to site, so the cast concrete wall was sitting idle for twelve months before the contractors arrived on site.
Residents in Deerpark are “very concerned” as they are looking at a lot of machinery on the ground for a long time, but progress looks painfully slow, he said.
“A finish timeline in Q3 in 2023 would be very welcome but residents don't believe it, there is a huge amount of work yet to be done,” added the current Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council.
The OPW blamed “archaeological findings” requiring specialist intervention for some of the delays in the centre of the town, which is also dependent on the appropriate levels on the Shannon.
However, the Fianna Fáil public representative said the only archaeological finds he known of have been in The Strand area – and he is inclined to be “somewhat forgiving for delays in these circumstances”.
As he understands it, if there is a find of interest, the area is examined by the National Monuments Service. The find is recorded and photos taken, then covered up again.
“So, why does this take months and surely work on other aspects of the project can continue while the find is being dealt with,” he asked.
The matter is due to come up at the next Athlone Municipal District meeting next week after Cllr O'Rourke asked the council to press OPW as contactors on behalf of the local authority for an update on the longrunning scheme.
The OPW said the completion date for final flood relief scheme on the River Al will be subject to the receipt of planning approval.
Irish Water has been contacted for comment to ascertain whether or not its project will go ahead as planned given that the flood scheme is still ongoing in The Strand and Golden Island areas.