*Photograph: John Mangan
RAIL SERVICES will be suspended from Ennis to Limerick as of Monday due to flooding in Ballycar.
Flood waters have been rising in Ballycar over the past week with Iarnród Éireann forecasting that will worsen over the weekend prompting the call to suspend services from Monday until further notice.
Bus transfers will be in operation between Limerick and Ennis in both directions for all services, meaning, Limerick to Ennis and Ennis to Limerick services will be replaced by bus
Limerick to Galway and Galway to Limerick will involve a bus transfer between Limerick and Ennis, and train between Ennis and Galway.
It is the first time in four years that the rail line has closed due to flooding but the problem dates back to 1826. The flooding occurs due to the cumulative affect of rainfall, and the slow drainage associated within Ballycar’s geological and hydrogeological environment. As a result, the line is expected to be closed for many weeks. A report compiled by RPS Consulting estimated that the flooding problems in Ballycar would cost €16m to solve.
Flood waters rose to a maximum height of 1.60m above the railway track during some flood events, despite works which saw Iarnród Éireann has previously raised the track level by 60 centimetres at Ballycar in 2003 to mitigate against the effects of flooding. In addition to causing disruption to rail services, these flood events also caused disruption to the water supply to Newmarket-on-Fergus as well as blocking local roads and restricting access to farming lands.
A report on flood relief options at Ballycar was undertaken by Consultant Engineers RPS for Iarnród Éireann and stakeholder representatives from Clare County Council, the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and the National Parks & Wildlife Services (NPWS). This study recommends a new preferred option of a technically viable drainage scheme that would (prevent flooding of the railway occurring whilst also including any flood mitigation measures downstream that would be necessary either directly or indirectly with this option.
Iarmród Éireann believes the report meets the desired objective to identify the most appropriate technically feasible drainage solution to address the flooding at Ballycar. The indicative costs for the proposed solution is €16.7M including VAT and for this project to proceed a funding source will need to be identified by the Exchequer, and given the works are away from railway property – a responsible agency nominated. The report has been issued to the relevant State department and agencies for their consideration. When a funding source is identified this will permit the project to progress with the steps involved including the appointment of a consultant and the progression of the project through preliminary and detailed design.
