Business owners on Enniscorthy’s Island Road seek additional protection as town readies itself for another winter of heavy storms

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Although emergency works to prevent Enniscorthy from flooding this winter are ongoing, the longer-term project to completely change the layout of the town is now almost ready to be submitted for planning approval.

At the September meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD), Enda Waters, executive engineer at Wexford County Council’s (WCC), confirmed that the plans for new pedestrian bridge and road bridges would be sent forward for approval in early 2027.

However, at least one county councillor remains scarred by the previous application - which was stymied by the presence of the freshwater pearl in the River Slaney.

“If I see any more plans I’ll get sick,” said Cllr Jackser Owens. “I could paper my entire sitting-room with the plans for this. We need to forget about the environmental concerns and do the job for the people of Enniscorthy.”

While a construction date for the main scheme remains some way off, the interim measures will be in place in the coming weeks. And, with a view on the inevitable storms to come, Cllr Owens asked whether business owners on the Island Road could receive additional support.

“There are three businesses affected, they want walls built outside their premises,” he said. “There are two garages and a bus service.”

After district engineer Neil Dempsey queried whether those businesses had been flooded during Storm Chandra this year, Cllr Owens said it mattered not what had happened in the past.

“They might not have been flooded, but to prevent it happening why can’t we continue as far as there with the walls?” he asked. “This should be done before a flood, not during it.”