19-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Five possible locations for new bridge which will form part of the highly-anticipated Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme are revealed
Frustration has festered over the long wait for the scheme to be approved and for work to finally begin on a plan that hopes to address the frequent flooding experienced by the town's residents.
Enniscorthy has experienced significant flooding over the years, the latest incident being in 2021, with many homeowners and businessowners struggling to get insurance and having to throw out damaged furniture repeatedly.
Following a recent visit by Minister for the Office of Public Works Kevin Moran to Enniscorthy to reiterate the government's commitment to seeing the deliverance of the current Flood Relief Scheme, the project has entered the consultation stage.
The scheme is to be delivered in two phases. Phase One of the scheme will involve the removal of the Seamus Rafter Bridge, which poses a significant obstruction to river flow through the town centre during flood events, and the construction of a new road bridge and new pedestrian bridge to replace the Seamus Rafter Bridge.
Phase Two of the scheme will involve the construction of the remaining flood relief works required for the town.
The spokesperson for the council emphasised the need for public consultation and support: 'Flooding represents a risk to the health and safety of the community, causes significant property damage, and disruption to commercial activity and traffic in the town. The flood relief scheme will protect over 300 homes and businesses in the area from the ongoing risk of flooding.'
"The bridge will be removed and replaced by a road bridge and pedestrian bridge that will accommodate for future flood levels and provide segregated pedestrian and cyclist facilities.'
In preparation, a constraints study was carried out to identify all factors that will influence the design of Phase One of the scheme. This was the first step in the option selection process and outlines the key environmental constraints, including physical (topography, river and built environment) and environmental constraints ( River Slaney SAC, biodiversity, landscape and visual, and cultural heritage), that have the potential to affect the design and location of the scheme.
On Tuesday, May 13, locals were presented with multiple options that they could give their feedback on. The first option was not considered feasible following a preliminary assessment, so options 2 to 5B were presented to the public.
Option 2 is located approximately 890m downstream of the Seamus Rafter Bridge, connecting between the R772 Wexford Road just north of Killagoley Lane to the R774 St John's Road north of the River Urrin.
Option 3 is located approximately 600m downstream of the Seamus Rafter Bridge (or c.100m south of the Riverside Hotel), connecting between the R772 Wexford Road the R774 St John's Road north of the Arnolds Cross (Parnell Road).
Option 4 is located approximately 570m downstream of the Seamus Rafter Bridge (or c.75m south of the Riverside Hotel), connecting between the R772 Wexford Road the R774 St John's Road north of the Arnolds Cross (Parnell Road).
Option 5A is located approximately 120m downstream of the Seamus Rafter Bridge, connecting between the R772 Wexford Road and The Promenade. The bridge is set at a level of c7.8m OD, which is up to five metres above the existing quay / road level and allows for the design flood level plus 600mm freeboard.
Option 5B is the same bridge location as Option 5A, however the southwest ramp connecting to The Promenade is omitted. While the connection from Quay Street to The Promenade would still be severed, access to The Promenade is maintained via Mill Yard Land and Salthouse Lane.
However, it was noted that Options 2, 3 and 4 would require the provision of a pedestrian / cycle bridge in proximity of the existing Seamus Rafter Bridge, given that the diversion distance of 1.4 – 2.2km via the replacement road bridge would be an excessive diversion for walking or cycling.
Following initial feedback, public opinion is currently leaning towards the fifth options. Residents can access a feedback form online and can submit their response by the cut off date of Tuesday, June 10.
In attendance on the day was Cllr Jackser Owens, who despite welcoming public participation on the plan, has thrown doubts over the expected timeline of the project.
"It is unlikely it was start in 2026 as planned – there is too much red tape. When I asked the consultants on the day they said that this and that needed to be done had to be done first. I am 70 years of age and I doubt I will see this done in my lifetime.'
He added that himself and others were left with more questions than answers on the day as well.
"They said that despite the feedback, the scheme could be denied based on environmental factors again in the future. People also asked how the plan would affect the people on Island Rd and they couldn't answer. People are sick of listening to this over the years. So I am calling on all Oireachtas representatives in the county to come out and do something.'
