Proposed solution to railway flooding at Ballycar could cost €16.7 million
Rail service between Ennis and Limerick due to resume Saturday, April 20 as floodwaters recede
A solution to the recurring flooding issue on the Ennis-Limerick rail line at Ballycar Lough could cost up to €16.7 million.
Floodwaters at Ballycar have closed the rail line between Ennis and Limerick since March 18.
According to Irish Rail, the flood waters have now receded, and final inspections and patrols will take place over the coming days prior to reopening on this Saturday afternoon, April 20.
A report on flood relief options at Ballycar was undertaken by Consultant Engineers RPS for Iarnród Éireann and stakeholder representatives from Clare County Council, the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and the National Parks & Wildlife Services (NPWS).
This study recommends a new preferred option of a technically viable drainage scheme that would prevent flooding of the railway occurring whilst also including any flood mitigation measures downstream that would be necessary either directly or indirectly with this option.
Ballycar Lough and its environs lie within a geological and hydrogeological environment where the underlying limestone rock and thin covering of soil and bedrock exposure combine to produce a shallow network of springs, turloughs and disappearing streams.
The causes of flooding at Ballycar Lough are mainly the prolonged sustained rainfall in Ballycar Lough catchment coupled with the natural constriction to the outflow stream of Ballycar Lough located between the swallow hole and the spring.
Iarnród Éireann believes the report meets the desired objective to identify the most appropriate technically feasible drainage solution to address the flooding at Ballycar.
"The indicative costs for the proposed solution is €16.7M including VAT (2020 estimate), and for this project to proceed a funding source will need to be identified by the Exchequer, and – given the works are away from railway property – a responsible agency nominated," Iarnród Éireann said in a statement.
"The report has been issued to the relevant State department and agencies for their consideration. When a funding source is identified this will permit the project to progress with the steps involved including the appointment of a consultant and the progression of the project through preliminary and detailed design."
The Ennis-Limerick line is set to reopen from 4pm on Saturday April 20.
Services will resume fully from Sunday, April 21.