A flood relief scheme that has been mooted for a Laois town for almost eight years may now cost €20 million.
So says Independent TD Brian Stanley following a meeting with the OPW and Laois County Council.
Deputy Stanley says that following the meeting, it is clear to him that the progress of the work needs to increase.
He said: “The timeline for the scheme and similar ones in Portarlington and Clonaslee need to be shortened.
“While some progress is being made, the delay on the Scheme so far means that it now needs a step change.
“It’s welcome that Laois County Council (LCC) are now ready to seek planning approval from the An Commissiun Pleanala.
“All environmental, hydrology reports, surveys and studies etc have now been completed and the preferred option and design of the scheme has also been completed, including where the walls and embankments will be constructed.
“A total of seven kilometres of walls and embankments will be put in place.
“Some of these barriers will be up to 9 feet in height.”
Deputy Stanley says he raised this in the Dail and will continue to do so to prevent the scheme from ‘going on forever’.
He said: “The overall cost of the scheme has now increased significantly.
“The original cost was estimated to be €6 million to €9 million, that has now increased due to extensions and extra works required, delays and construction cost inflation.
“It is now estimated that the final cost could be up to €20 million according to this week’s meeting.
“I raised this again recently in the Dail and pressed the Government on the need to shorten the length of time between a flood relief scheme been approved and construction being complete.
“This must be reduced, otherwise, these schemes will go on forever.”
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