IE Consulting was commissioned on behalf of Kilkenny County Council, to undertake a hydrological and hydraulic assessment of the Breagagh River in order to assess the impact that the proposed Kilkenny Western Environs Inner Relief Road Scheme may have on the existing flooding regime in the area. The scheme includes for a new distributor road from the N76 Callan Road to the Circular Road at Robertshill, widening of the existing Circular Road from Robertshill to its junction with the Kilmanagh Road, and widening of the R695 Kilmanagh Road.
As part of the proposed road works the scheme includes the construction of two new road bridges as well as the diversion and re-grading of a section of the Breagagh River. IE Consulting carried out a detailed hydrological assessment of the Breagagh River to estimate the peak design flows in the watercourse. A linked 1D-2D hydraulic model was developed to reflect the existing scenario in the river. The hydraulic model was calibrated against available OPW CFRAMS mapping. The hydraulic model was then utilised to assess the impact of the proposed river bridges and realignment and re-grading of the river channel. A hydrological and hydraulic assessment report was prepared and Section 50 consent was received from the Office of Public Works.
