New flood maps for Bray set to be published next year as concerns raised about debris acting like a dam
The Wicklow PeopleA review being carried out on the River Dargle in Bray, as part of the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme will go out for public consultation in 2026.
The review is being progressed by an external consultant and is nearing completion. The new flood maps for the town will initially be published online early in the new year for a consultation period of 30 days, allowing the public to make submissions. Following the consultation, any submissions will be reviewed and addressed and the final maps, accompanied by a report, will then be published.
The development, planning and construction of the Bray (River Dargle) Flood Relief Scheme was undertaken under local authority powers, with funding provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
Works on the scheme were completed in November 2017 at a cost of €46 million, with maintenance commencing in 2018.
Wicklow County Council, as the scheme’s lead authority, maintains and upkeeps the scheme. Maintenance activities include the clearance of silt and debris from the river channel, clearance of trash and debris screens, control of invasive species, and routine maintenance of outfall valves and culverts.
The initial works included the demolition and rebuilding of river walls with extensive stone facing, river regrading and excavation together with the provision of debris traps to prevent trees and other large objects from travelling down the river.
These works took place over a 3.3 km stretch from Silverbridge at the N11 to the Harbour Bridge at Bray harbour.
However, in 2023 residents raised concerns with Wicklow TD John Brady that large trees and other objects washed down the river were acting as a dam at the Slang/Rehills area, potentially leading to flooding upstream.
The concerns related to the length of time it was taking Wicklow County Council to clear large fallen trees and other objects that were acting as a dam on the Dargle River, at the debris trap adjacent to the Rivervale apartments.
The last major flood in the area was due to Hurricane Charley in 1986. The scheme came about following extensive campaigning by the community, it was designed to provide protection against a one-in-100-year fluvial flood and one-in-200-year tidal flood.
The OPW reimburses Wicklow County Council for all eligible, valid and vouched expenditure and costs incurred in the maintenance of the scheme.
Figures obtained by Wicklow TD John Brady show €176,241.98 has been paid out between 2021 and 2024. A recoupment claim for 2025 is currently being processed by OPW officials.