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Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme

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On May 20th Cork County Council, acting as agents of the OPW, signed a contract with Jons Civil Engineering Ltd for the construction of the River Ilen (Skibbereen) Drainage Scheme.
(ref. Cork County Council)

Today, the Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll, Minister of State with the responsibility for the OPW Deputy Sean Canney, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Mr. Tim Lucey and members of the Council were in Skibbereen to mark the signing of this substantial contract which is very welcome news for the residents and business owners of the town and also for the wider West Cork area.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief Deputy Sean Canney said: "County Cork has been particularly hard hit by flooding in recent years, with many flood events having affected such areas as Skibbereen, Bandon, Blackpool, Cork City and others. My Office, the Office of Public Works OPW in partnership with Cork County Council, has been working hard to progress solutions to these flooding problems. I would like to acknowledge also the great efforts of local public representatives and community groups in helping to advance these Schemes. I am very pleased that a contractor is now being appointed to construct the Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme. This will provide the town with badly needed protection from risk of flooding into the future. I and my colleagues in Government are committed to ensuring that the other flood relief schemes for Cork and the rest of the country will be delivered as part of the significant investment in funding of €430m over the period 2016-2021"

The Chief Executive of the Council Mr. Tim Lucey said, "While the progression of this flood relief scheme for the town of Skibbereen has been time consuming and complex, I am very pleased that Cork County Council has successfully brought the project to this stage and that the OPW on behalf of Government is in a position to fund this most important intervention in Skibbereen. Over the years, the entire community of Skibbereen has shown considerable patience and resilience through regularly having to deal with the trauma of flood events. Working with Cork County Council and the OPW, the Skibbereen Flood Relief Committee has participated in a progressive and supportive manner to facilitate the progression of this scheme and, has clearly plated a major part in flood responses over the years. The Committee, under the stewardship of Cathal O'Donovan is to be applauded for its leadership locally and Cork County Council looks forward to a positive working relationship over the duration of the contract works with the Skibbereen community. I also commend our own team under the direction of our County Engineer, David Keane, who have driven this project in a wholly professional manner and in a manner which has also demonstrated a high level of personal interest in wanting to deliver this for Skibbereen."

This substantial construction project, valued at €15.8m is a significant milestone for Skibbereen town and marks the advancement of the Flood Relief Scheme into Stage 5: Construction. The project will deliver flood risk alleviation measures for the town of Skibbereen. The works include the construction of approximately 7.5km of flood defences in the form of earthen flood embankments (with and without sheet-piled cores), reinforced concrete walls, sheet-piled walls, storm-water pumping stations, culverts and other ancillary drainage works.

The Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Joe Carroll mentioned how pleased he was to see the Skibbereen scheme progressing. "Being from the area I have witnessed first-hand the devastation that flood events have caused for business owners and residents in Skibbereen. This scheme is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration. Cork County Council and the OPW have done a great job to bring the scheme to construction stage and for this the people of Skibbereen are very grateful".