Portarlington Flood Relief Scheme (FRS)

Introductory Presentation 

We want to consider all viewpoints in relation to the scheme, and this is your opportunity to take part at an early stage. Any time spent communicating your views is greatly appreciated.

Further information and materials are available at this LINK.

 

 


 
Project Updates

 


Background Information

Portarlington is a borough, market and post-town on the border of County Laois and County Offaly, Ireland. Portarlington is split by the River Barrow, which is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), including conservation efforts for the restoration of favourable conditions for Salmon, and being a catchment with previous records of Margaritifera (an endangered species of freshwater mussel).

As part of the Government’s National Development Plan 2018-2027, almost €1 billion has been committed to the investment into flood relief measures across the country. Following on from this commitment, a steering group was established between the OPW and Laois County Council to progress a flood relief scheme to alleviate the risk of flooding for the community of Portarlington. In Summer 2020, a Joint Venture (JV) between Binnies (B) and Nicholas O’Dywer (NOD) were appointed as Consultants, to develop a scheme that is socially, environmentally, economically and technically acceptable.

Benefits of Scheme

Portarlington has had a history of serious flooding with major events occurring as recently as Jan-2020, with others in Nov-2017 and 2008. Development of proposals will consider the impact on neighbouring communities in line with requirements of the EU Floods Directive.

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 River Basin (14) Barrow CFRAM Study was completed with support from various County Councils, including Offaly and Laois County Councils.  An output of the study identified flood risk areas, including Portarlington and Mountmellick, 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.

Following the launch of the CFRAM Study findings, B/NOD were appointed in August 2020 to complete a detailed project level engineering assessment for Portarlington. The assessment will involve identification of appropriate flood risk alleviation measures and preparation of detailed design drawings and documents. B/NOD (JV) will carry out the appropriate Environmental Assessments including the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and the Natura Impact Statement (NIS), where required under the relevant legislation.


Mailing List

If you would like to receive project updates and the newsletters as they are released then please follow this link to take you to a Microsoft Form where you can input your email address to join the mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time by emailing the project team at: PortarlingtonFRS@binnies.com.

 

Latest News

Summary

Publication Consultation Day no.3

Residents, businesses and all interested parties are invited to attend a Public Consultation Day where the Preferred Flood Relief Option for the Community of Portarlington will be presented. Members of the project teams from Laois County Council, the Office of Public Works, Binnies and Nicolas O’Dwyer, will be present on the day.

All feedback received during the Public Consultation Day on 13th of December 2023 and through the website will be used by the Project Team to finalise the development and design of the Scheme. 

When: 13th December, 2.30pm - 7.30pm

Where: Portarlington Library, Main Road, R32 F9WF

 

Ongoing Surveys

Personnel from O'Donnell Environmental working on behalf of Laois County Council for the Portarlington Flood Relief Scheme, are conducting field surveys for bats. Information from this survey will be used to inform the development of the environmental assessments of the Scheme.

We would be grateful if you could support our survey by granting access to your land or by providing information on any existing constraints.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us through: PortarlingtonFRS@binnies.com  

 

Surveys

Updates / October, 2023

An Aborist Survey was completed by Holly Arboriculture in October 2023. The survey assesses the constraints posed by, and develops recommendations for the management of arboricultural features (e.g. trees and hedgerows) in the Scheme area.

Updates / June, 2023

A Preliminary Ecological Assessment survey has been completed by APEM Ltd. This survey captures all habitats, protected species and invasive species in the study area and helps us to determine any potential impacts which will feed into the development of the environmental assessments of the Scheme.

Updates / February, 2023

Drone and Detailed Topographical surveys and an Asset Condition Survey was completed to assess whether existing structures could be integrated to the preferred Scheme.

A Property Title Survey was carried out to identify all relevant landowners who may be affected by the works. 

 

Environmental Assessment

Updates / May, 2023

Potential for Bat Roosting, Floating River Vegetation and Snail Surveys were undertaken. These surveys form part of the additional information for environmental constraints that the project shall consider. 

 

Newsletters 

Project newsletters are now available via the News section. The most recent newsletter can also be found below:

The newsletters provide information on recent activities and other relevant information. If you would be interested to be added to the mailing list, please refer to Website Updates & Mailing List heading at the bottom of the home page.


Steering Group Members


 

Postal address:

Portarlington Flood Relief Scheme

Nicholas O'Dwyer Limited , Unit 4E, Nutgrove Office Park,
Nutgrove Ave,Churchtown Upper, Dublin, D14 V3F6
 

Email: PortarlingtonFRS@binnies.com

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OPW's National Flood Information Portal - www.Floodinfo.ie