Feedback from the public and interested stakeholders will inform the development of the scheme.  LCCC and the OPW ask people to co-operate with our contractors during the works and with our consultants undertaking any studies – the solutions will benefit everybody with Limerick City and Environs, so it is in all our interests to co-operate with the studies and works being undertaken.

The Project is currently at the early initiation stages. Data is currently being gathered to inform the development of the project concepts. Information gaps will determine the surveys that will be required. In particular, surveys and investigations are being defined to ensure that adequate geotechnical and geometric (topographic, bathymetric, channel and structure dimensions) information is available to allow appropriate engineering design.

Environmental constraints and initial walkovers of the study are being undertaken by the environmental team.
Furthermore, review of the Public Realm is being undertaken in preparation for Public Consultation.

Public consultation days will be scheduled throughout the project. Once the dates and locations have been established for the Public Consultation Days, they will be advertised within the local media, using MyPoint, and on the project website in advance of Public consultation.

The project will bring many benefits to those who live and work in Limerick City and Environs. The primary and over-riding benefit will be to reduce future flooding and protect homes and businesses.

The new flood defences will complement the proposed public realm enhancements to the City.

The project should have positive impacts in terms of securing insurance and insurance premiums.

Limerick has a long history of serious flooding. In recent years this flooding has become increasingly destructive. The OPW in partnership with LCCC and other local authorities have completed the Shannon Upper and Lower River Basin Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. As part of the study, a viable scheme option with the potential to reduce flood risk in the city to an acceptable level was identified.

This project will undertake a detailed review of the flood relief measures proposed by the OPW in the CFRAM study and undertake an assessment of the mechanisms of flooding currently facing the city and its environs. Extensive engineering and environmental analysis will be undertaken to review the hydrological and geotechnical conditions of the scheme area and to confirm and deliver the preferred flood risk management option for the City. 

A key part of the project brief will be to also ensure that due consideration is given to the design of public realm in the vicinity of the flood defences.

Ultimately the project will defend Limerick City from flooding without damaging its national heritage.

The data gathering in preparation for the technical studies and designs is currently under way having commenced in May 2021.  Construction of the scheme will be undertaken following the completion of the design and consent processes.  It is currently envisaged that construction will commence in 2025, however some advance works may commence ahead of this date. 

The project is being delivered by Limerick City and County Council in partnership with the OPW. LCCC appointed RPS in May 2021 to provide expertise including in the areas of geotechnical engineering Hydrological and Hydraulic modelling, flood defence design, landscape architecture and public realm design, and environmental studies.