LATEST: Kilkenny flood relief schemes to 'progress rapidly' under new plans
Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness met with Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran on Tuesday
Long-awaited flood relief schemes in areas across County Kilkenny are reportedly set to 'progress rapidly' following a meeting between Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness.
Kilkenny Live understands flood relief schemes locally under tranches 1 and 2 will be accelerated under a new scheme to be announced later this week.
The local schemes are expected to be bundled together for planning and funding purposes.
The encouraging progress comes after years of concerns and questions from local communities at risk of flooding.
The largest of the local schemes is the Graignanmanagh-Tinnahinch project, an area badly affected by recent flooding, which has an estimated cost of €21m and commenced in March 2020. A total of 84 properties will be protected from once-in-a-century fluvial flood events once the scheme is complete.
In Ballyhale, a €2.7m flood relief scheme commenced in April 2020 with conditional planning permission granted in August 2024. The defences will protect 28 properties from the once-in-a-century flood event once completed.
Included in the second tranche are the Piltown and Freshford flood relief schemes, which are at an early stage of data collection to inform the appointment of engineering and environmental consultants.
"I welcome this positive development, and I will work with the affected communities to ensure their concerns are dealt with," Deputy McGuinness commented.
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