Planning granted for north Mayo flood relief scheme

AN Coimisiún Pleanála has cleared the way for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme to progress.

A planning application lodged by Mayo County Council for the multi-million euro project has been approved by the board.

Almost 300 properties will be protected from flooding when the works are complete.

The flood relief works are to take place along the River Moy in Ballina town, extending from the Salmon Weir downstream to Arbuckle Row/Ballina Dairies on its west side and to Tom Ruane Park on its east side, and will include works on/along Ridgepool Road, Barrett Street, Cathedral Road, Emmett Street, Clare Street/Howley Terrace and Bachelors Walk.

The works include the construction of new quay walls, repairs/rebuilding of existing quay walls, the creation of a new raised plaza (public realm space) along Cathedral Road and the construction of four new (sub-surface) pumping stations and a new stormwater collection network along the River Moy quays.

Along sections of tributaries (within Ballina urban environs), including the Brusna River, the Quignamanger watercourse at Creggs Road, the Bunree Watercourse at Behy Road and the Tullyegan Watercourse at Foxford Road, works will include a combination of culvert renewal, new culverts and construction of new flood embankments on these four tributaries.

The scheme, when complete, will provide a standard of flood protection for the 1 in 100 year fluvial and the 1 in 200 year coastal flood events to a combined 297 properties within Ballina and its urban environs, of which 228 constitute existing residential properties.

The scheme will also result in significant enhancement to the public realm and will provide improved accessibility to the Moy for fishing activities.