Bray to finally get €28m flood relief scheme
GO-AHEAD GIVEN 25 YEARS AFTER RIVER BURST BANKS
MORE than 25 years after Hurricane Charlie devastated Bray, causing the Dargle to burst its banks, a €28m flood relief scheme has been given the go ahead.
The news was officially announced in Bray yesterday morning by OPW Minister Brian Hayes.
'Everyone is relieved and delighted,' said Bray Town Council cathaoirleach Ronan Mcmanus. 'We should be in the river in May. This will provide some peace of mind for the residents affected.'
The money will pay for a new culvert at Bray Bridge, new embankments, new flood defence walls, channel widening and channel regarding.
The area has been flooded several times in the last 100 years.
' This major capital investment commitment for Bray is part of the annual capital funding provision of €45m, which I announced last year,' said Minister Hayes. THE SCHEME will provide protection to approximately 650 homes along with eight commercial properties. The level of protection provided will protect against approximately a 300-year flood event.
On August 25, 1986, the residents of Little Bray suffered massive and unforgettable upheaval due to flooding during the hurricane. Ever since that long summer night the local people have been calling for protection from another disaster. Hundreds of residents took refuge in the top floors of their homes, hundreds more took refuge in the Little Flower Hall and Ravenswell Convent.
'In many cases, householders do not even have any insurance cover to fall back on.
' Thousands of pounds worth of property was lost in individual houses as furniture, carpets, televisions, videos, appliances and other belongings were engulfed in water before families had a chance to move them upstairs,' it was further reported that week.
- MARY FOGARTY
