How Did We Get Here?
The OPW, working in partnership with Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) and other Local Authorities, commissioned and have completed the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. The objectives of the CFRAM Study were to:
- Assess and map the existing and potential future flood risk within the CFRAM Study Area.
- Identify viable structural and non-structural options and measures for the effective and sustainable management of flood risk in the Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) and within the CFRAM Study Area as a whole.
- Prepare a set of Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) for the CFRAM Study Area, and associated Strategic Environmental and, as necessary, Habitats Directive (Appropriate) Assessment, that sets out the policies, strategies, measures and actions that should be pursued by the relevant bodies, including the OPW, Local Authorities and other Stakeholders, to achieve the most cost-effective and sustainable management of existing and potential future flood risk within the Study Area, taking account of environmental plans, objectives and legislative requirements and other statutory plans and requirements.
The Shannon CFRAM Study Area included Adare as an AFA, and concluded that a flood relief scheme would be viable and effective for the community. The viable Scheme option for Adare, as identified at the CFRAM level of assessment, can be summarised as follows:
- Construction of 455m of new flood defence walls and 2,435m of new flood defence embankments.
- A demountable flood gate across the old railway line and tied into the new flood defence wall and embankment. Flood forecasting will also be required as part of this measure.
- The parapet wall on the upstream face of Adare Bridge will need to be able to provide a flood defence function up to the required design standard. It has been assumed that the entire parapet wall will need to be rebuilt, with the average height being 1.5m above existing road level. It has also been assumed that the bridge is structurally sound and capable of withstanding the loading forces of a 1% AEP fluvial flood event. The new embankments on the left bank will need to tie into the parapet wall.
- Existing arterial drainage maintenance scheme will need to be maintained as part of this option.
As part of this project, the FRS options detailed above, along with other potentially viable options will be subject to further engineering assessment. The potentially viable options will also be fully appraised as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the scheme.