Do rising costs mean that a town in Kilkenny is just being left to flood?

Widespread disappointment in Callan has met the news that silt islands in the King’s River will not be cleared - and that properties along the river will continue to flood.

A study by consultants has concluded that the removal of the silt mounds will have little benefit and that they do not present an increased flood risk.

A larger flood relief scheme  is required to protect the community, the consultants say,  but this has also proved to be ‘non cost beneficial’ in the ‘pilot scheme viability review’ carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and has not made it onto the extensive list of flood relief schemes proposed for Capital Funding.

Work to remove silt build-up under the eyes of the bridge will go ahead, however, later this year, as will an assessment of the current flood alleviation pumping scheme in the town.

“What you are saying is the whole thing is now driven by flood risk, and the islands will be left in the river,” a disappointed Cllr Joe Lyons summarised a detailed presentation to local councillors this week.

“The saga is still ongoing. Current buildings that are flooded will get flooded.

“It’s a disgrace. The silt mounds look horrible and they have to go. You have an excuse with asbestos, but they have to go.” Where they are located, in the centre of town, is what matters, he said.

“To me, it would be a help to remove the silt mounds, in every way.”

“If you look at climate action and increased rain fall, we need to be looking at the future, not waiting to climb the future ratings,” Cllr Matt Doran said.

“Callan has suffered over years. Now it has almost an old-fashioned (flood relief) system. The rain comes so fast and heavy.”

“To say we are disappointed is an understatement.”

Cllr Lyons pointed out that Minister Patrick O’Donovan, who is minister with responsibility for the OPW, “promised money” for a scheme in Callan.

Emir Slattery, Senior Executive Engineer with Kilkenny County Council, who made the presentation, explained that the decision on silt removal works comes down to the risk of flooding, and the consultant’s report says there is no increased risk of flooding from the silt islands.

She said the OPW decision was based on the cost of removing the silt mounds and the number of properties affected.

Cllr Lyons pointed out that a Bridge Street premises was recently bought by Kilkenny County CUuncil and said it would now be interesting to see who will want to go into it with the risk of flooding.

Cllr Doran asked if there were any cases where the minister or department had over-ruled the OPW.

“No doubt there is a huge risk of flooding in Callan, but to get Callan onto the list for a flood relief scheme is the thing here,” Ms Slattery said.

Cllr Michael Doyle was also disappointed. “Every person that owns a house there is going to be flooded at some point. That is not fair,” he said.

He asked if dredging would help to clear the sand, silt and trees from the river in Callan or in Inistioge. Ms Slattery said dredging is now not environmentally acceptable.

“You said properties will get flooded. How on earth do people sell their homes now?,” Cllr Deirdre Cullan asked. She described it as a ‘black cloud’ over the area, adding that she feels sorry for any property owner along the river.

“To say properties are definitely going to be flooded with no real answer is disappointing,” she said.

Getting approval for a flood relief scheme is not a quick solution, Cllr Cullen pointed out. “How many years are we waiting for Thomastown and Inistioge?” It’s one thing to get approval but getting the scheme put in is “taking forever,” she said.

“It’s really disappointing and not a good outlook as far as I can see,” Cllr Cullen said.

Flood alleviation works were carried out on the King’s River in 2011. However, the recent report by RPS consultants is the latest in a series that have not supported flood relief works in Callan on a cost-analysis basis. 

• In 2018 The overall flood risk in Callan was assessed under the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM)  Programme 2018 and flood mapping generated. 

A Flood Scheme for the Kings River was deemed not to be cost beneficial by the OPW and not brought forward.

• In 2019 planning permission was granted for ‘remedial works’ to remove the silt mounds for aesthetic purposes, under a Kilkenny County Council Town and Village Renewal Scheme.  But the works did not proceed because of a significant difference between the  cost of the proposed works versus the grant funding.
• In 2021 the OPW reexamined the CFRAM report.  It found the cost of a flood alleviation scheme would be €1.689 million and the benefit would be €1.134 million. This was deemed “not viable.”

• In 2022 the CFRAM report was recalculated with more accurate estimates of benefits. This reported a scheme would have a benefit of €956,000 while costing €1.689 million. It was again deemed not viable.

• Last October a meeting was held between Kilkenny County Council, the OPW and Minister Patrick O’Donovan. Three ‘actions’ were agreed: to get consultants to assess the flood risk specifically from the silt islands; to assess the existing pumping station in Callan and future proof it; and, when both those actions are complete, to apply to the OPW for works funding.

RPS Consultants have now reported to the County Council that they examined three scenarios - the existing situation, the river with the silt mounds removed, and the river with a channel allowed in the 2019 planning approval.

The report concluded there were “negligible” differences in water levels between the scenarios; and that homes and businesses are unlikely to benefit from the removal of silt along this localised stretch of the river.

Mayor of Kilkenny to hold a public meeting on centre for performing arts

Councillors were told that the consultants concluded a larger flood relief scheme is required to replace the current flood defence scheme in Callan, in order to protect the community from on-going flooding. 

However, this has also proved to be non-cost beneficial in the ‘pilot scheme viability review’ carried out by the OPW and has not made it onto the extensive list of flood relief schemes proposed for Capital funding.

The assessment of the pumping station in Callan is now to commence with a view to ‘future proofing’ the scheme.