Nearly 1,000 Dublin homes will benefit from a '1-in-100 year' flood risk scheme
Over 950 Dublin properties will be protected by a flood alleviation scheme designed for a 1-in-100 year flood risk.
The River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme was designed in response to a major flooding event in 2011 whose impact led to an estimated €127 million in damage claims. With over 80mm of rainfall in a six hour period - a loss of electricity, major transport issues, more than 1,000 homes affected, and the two fatalities highlighted major points of weakness within Dublin city’s infrastructure.
As a scheme that was first developed 14 years ago, Project Resident Engineer David Grant delivered an update on the project to local councillors at Monday’s South East Area Committee meeting. With construction commencing in April 2024, the main containment area is at Tymon Park in Tallaght .
Several challenges have delayed this scheme for so many years as the Council had to collaborate with over 20 statutory agency stakeholders, deal with access issues for public and private land, and address the public interest both for and against the developments. As a 36 month programme, works have now commenced in six out of the seven work areas.
Works at Ravensdale Park in Kimmage include the implementation of a new flood defence wall, tree removal, and structural changes to a proposed footbridge. St Martin’s Drive has also seen tree removal and the development of a defence wall with work estimated to be substantially complete by June 2026.
A 300mm defence wall at Mount Argus Close in Harold’s Cross will also be constructed. This work is currently scheduled to commence in February 2026 for a three month period.
These developments were welcomed by local councillors who expressed their delight at the long-awaited progress that had been made. Several councillors also highlighted the untapped potential of the River Poddle as a public amenity.
“The key thing is to try and have the river accessible to pedestrians walking on foot, as best we can. That stretch at St Martin’s Drive is really the only place members of the public can walk on it. While the work is to prevent another flooding event, it should also be to enhance it as a public place for people to be able to enjoy the river,” Cllr Pat Dunne said.
Cllr Patrick Kinsella also enquired about the scope of the scheme to reintroduce aquatic life such as salmon into the River Poddle. Mr Grant said an important part of the scheme is improving the water quality and rehabilitating the river, meaning there could be lots of opportunities to introduce new aspects to the river.
“The goal would be to try and restock it. Rivers should have aquatic life, but that’s going to be a longer process,” he said. “With the riverbank rehabilitation plan we are looking to where people can benefit from it. Rivers are massively beneficial for mental health so they should be accessible.”
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