Ballybofey-Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme

Introduction

The  historical  twin  towns  of  Ballybofey  and  Stranorlar  (Bealach  Féich–Srath  an  Urláir)  are  situated  on  opposite  sides  of  the  River  Finn  in  the  Finn  Valley,  County  Donegal.  The  towns  are  a  popular  centre  for  tourism  and  recreation  and  are  well  known  for  their  shopping  amenities.  The  junction  of  the  N13  and  N15  (National  Primary  Roads)  is  in  Stranorlar  with  the  N15  passing  over  a  5-arch  bridge  over  the  Finn  River  into  Ballybofey.

The  Finn  River  rises  in  Lough  Finn  and  flows  east  to  a  confluence  with  the  River  Mourne  at  Lifford.  The  Burn  Daurnett  flows  through  Ballybofey  and  joins  the  Finn  River  near  Finn  Park  beneath  Navenny  Road.  The  Finn  River  is  a  Special  Area  of  Conservation  and  designated  for  the  protection  of  salmon  and  otter.

To  address  flooding  issues  nationally,  the  Office  of  Public  Works  (OPW)  commissioned  and  completed  Catchment  and  Flood  Risk  Management  (CFRAM)  studies  covering  the  entire  country.   The  North  Western  –  Neagh  –  Bann  CFRAM  Study  was  completed  with  support  from  Donegal  County  Council.  An  output  of  the  study  identified  flood  risk  areas,  including  Ballybofey  and  Stranorlar,  and  the  associated  impacts  of  flooding.  The  plan  also  set  out  the  measures  and  policies  to  be  pursued  in  order  to  achieve  the  most  cost  effective  and  sustainable  management  of  flood  risk.  

There  is  a  history  of  fluvial  (river)  and  pluvial  (rainfall)  flooding  at  Ballybofey  and  Stranorlar  with  the  most  recent  significant  event  recorded  in  December 2015.

As  part  of  the  Government’s  National  Development  Plan  2018-2027,  €1  billion  has  been  committed  to  the  development  of  flood  relief  measures  across  Ireland.  As  part  of  this  commitment,  a  steering  group  was  established  between  the  Office  of  Public  Works  (OPW)  and  Donegal  County  Council  to  progress  a  flood  relief  scheme  to  alleviate  the  risk  of  flooding  for  Ballybofey  –  Stranorlar.  In  Spring  2021,  Ayesa (formerly ByrneLooby)  were  appointed  Engineering  and  Environmental  Consultants  to  develop  a  scheme  that  is  technically,  socially,  environmentally,  and  economically  acceptable,  to  alleviate  the  risk  of  flooding  to  the  communities  of  Ballybofey  and  Stranorlar.

Ayesa will  identify  appropriate  flood  relief  measures  for  Ballybofey  and  Stranorlar  and  prepare  detailed  design,  drawings  and  documents  to  facilitate  submission  of  a  planning  application  as  per  the  Planning  and  Development  Act  (2000),  the  Planning  and  Development  Regulations  (2001)  and  subsequent  construction  of  the  scheme.  Ayesa  will  prepare  a  Natura  Impact  Statement  and  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  Report,  where  required  under  the  relevant  legislation.

Link to :

Postal address: Ayesa, Building 2100, Cork Airport Business Park, Kinsale Road, Cork. T12 KV8R

Telephone: +353 (0)21 240 7988

Email: Ballybofey-StranorlarFRS@Ayesa.com