The new flood defence scheme and associated roadworks at Verdant Place, King's Island, Limerick will open to vehicular traffic and pedestrian use this Friday 1st September 2017.

Very significant flooding occurred in spring 2014 when the existing defences failed locally, both through overtopping and breach. This allowed flood waters onto Verdant Place and the surrounding areas. Major improvements to the flood defences were required to try to prevent re-occurrences of such flood events. 

Within the overall flood relief scheme for King’s Island an advance contract to construct a flood defence wall at Verdant Place was progressed. Designed by Arup and JBA Consulting, work began on site in late 2016 and these works have now been completed. 

Mindful of the site constraints at Verdant Place, advance works have now been completed which, in conjunction with the main scheme, aims to minimise flood risk to the existing community, social amenity, environment and landscape character.

Having successfully tendered, Wills Bros Ltd. undertook the construction of the works at Verdant Place. The completed works include the following:

• Approximately 220m of new flood defence wall between Thomond Bridge and St. Mary’s Community Centre;
• A new footpath from Thomond Bridge to the Community Centre; and
• Realignment of the existing road to include a one way traffic system with traffic now only permitted to enter at Thomond Bridge.

In addition to providing an improved flood defence to Verdant Place, the newly completed works also improve access for pedestrians to/from St. Mary’s Community Centre, King John’s Castle, Thomondgate and Clancy’s Strand.

Whilst works at Verdant Place have been ongoing, options development and planning is ongoing for the wider King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme and a preferred scheme is expected to be identified later this year.

More information about the project can be found at www.kingsislandfrs.ie.