A Laois TD has said that the Clonaslee Flood Relief Scheme “needs to move at pace” following the latest report on the project.
Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley was speaking after the latest news that the flood Relief Scheme for Clonaslee has progressed on to the next stage.
The scheme, which has been in the works since 2020, is in the process of lodging a planning application with An Bord Pleanála (ABP) which, if approved, would protect 74 properties at risk from flooding in the town.
The village has a long history of flooding and has been waiting for help alongside Mountmellick and Portarlington for over half a decade.
The development would see the construction of flood defence walls, embankments, installation of a debris trap and culvert upgrade along the Clodiagh River.
“The fact that permission is now being given to Laois County Council to proceed with a Planning Application to An Board Pleanála to grant permission for the scheme is a major step forward,” Deputy Stanley said.
“This scheme is long-awaited, as we have had serious flooding over the years. Houses in the Chapel Street area and other properties have been affected by it, and there’s a total of 74 properties in the village at risk of flooding.
“The flood Relief Schemes are moving too slow, this scheme has been seven years in the making, so it’s been a long time coming.
“Once permission is granted to the Council, the Scheme needs to proceed quickly to get construction works in place and build flood defence walls and embankments and some culvert upgrades along the River Clodiagh, that should prevent flooding in the village in the future.
“I look forward to the scheme getting planning permission and to proceed quickly and I’ll certainly will be pushing for that to happen.”
€45 million has been earmarked for flood risk management across Laois with an additional €547,000 recently added.
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