There have been what are described as ‘welcome developments’ on an application lodged by Wicklow County Council under the Flood Mitigation Measures Scheme with the Office of Public Works seeking approval for thevfunding of a survey of the Baltinglass area under the terms of the Scheme.

The Office of Public Works has been in touch with Wicklow County Council advising that in its view the Baltinglass Survey would be best dealt with as part of the Slaney Catchment Risk Assessment Management Study.  The Slaney Catchment Study will assess the level of flooding risk throughout the Slaney catchment area and where the risk of flooding is significant it will produce a plan to prioritise measures to manage flooding in a comprehensive way.  The study is part of an ongoing national programme of flood risk studies being undertaken by the Office of Public Works in line with the European Union Floods Directive and National Flood Risk Management Policy.

Work on the Slaney Catchment Risk Assessment Study will commence in the first half of 2011.  The Office of Public Works has, however, indicated to Wicklow County Council that it would be willing to consider the funding of a localised study for Baltinglass in advance of the Slaney Study. Minister of State Manseragh who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works has indicted that OPW is willing to consider funding a localised flood study for Baltinglass in order to allow the Council to move ahead with the preparation of its Local Area Plan.

Commenting on the news Minister Dick Roche said “I am very pleased that the Office of Public Works is willing to show flexibility in this matter.   I would hope that Wicklow County Council will engage with the OPW in order that the Study for Baltinglass can get underway at the earliest possible date.”