Ballycar floods again

[Darrman]

https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/limerick-to-ennis-line-to-close-due-to-flooding-fr

Limerick to Ennis closed until further notice and bus substitutions in operation. It's only been four years since the last time it flooded, according to the article. Irish Rail's piece also has an explanation on why Ballycar floods so often and how it should be fixed: the cost being given at €16.7 million by 2020 prices - so double that probably. Just how many times has Ballycar flooded?

[Mayner]

Been a problem for generations.

The line was closed between December 1956 and March 1960 because of serious flooding at Ballycar, services were restored on 10th March using 301 the last surviving GSWR 4-4-0. 

The firebox was supposed to be high enough above the flood waters for 301 to get through although the diesels (locos and AEC railcars) could not

[Darrman]

https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/limerick-to-ennis-line-to-close-due-to-flooding-fr

The line should reopen on Saturday, so about a month's closure in all.

[skinner75]

You would think raising the embankment, with a few large culverts to allow water to pass from one side to another would sort it out?

[DoctorPan]

On 17/4/2024 at 4:29 PM, skinner75 said:

You would think raising the embankment, with a few large culverts to allow water to pass from one side to another would sort it out?

The proposed solution is a full flood relief scheme and drainage design for the region. Rasing the embankment only kicks the can down the road and leaves it open to flooding during 1 in 100 year floods, which is no bueno these days.

[skinner75]

42 minutes ago, DoctorPan said:

The proposed solution is a full flood relief scheme and drainage design for the region. Rasing the embankment only kicks the can down the road and leaves it open to flooding during 1 in 100 year floods, which is no bueno these days.

I'd say commuters who use the line would take a 1 in 100 year flood risk to the current 1 in 1 year flood risk! 

[StevieB]

1 hour ago, DoctorPan said:

The proposed solution is a full flood relief scheme and drainage design for the region. Rasing the embankment only kicks the can down the road and leaves it open to flooding during 1 in 100 year floods, which is no bueno these days.

Proper design of a raised embankment would make sure that the problem is not passed on elsewhere. The use of physical/mathematical modelling will give the correct size and number of openings in the embankment. That carrying the Worcester southern link crosses the wide floodplain of the River Severn has just one large opening in it.

Stephen

[DoctorPan]

2 hours ago, StevieB said:

Proper design of a raised embankment would make sure that the problem is not passed on elsewhere. The use of physical/mathematical modelling will give the correct size and number of openings in the embankment. That carrying the Worcester southern link crosses the wide floodplain of the River Severn has just one large opening in it.

Stephen

That's not the findings of the hydrolocial engineers that wrote the 2020 RPS as Ballycar Lough and the surrounding loughs contribute to flooding in the region and to solve one, you need to solve the other.

[StevieB]

6 hours ago, DoctorPan said:

That's not the findings of the hydrolocial engineers that wrote the 2020 RPS as Ballycar Lough and the surrounding loughs contribute to flooding in the region and to solve one, you need to solve the other.

I don’t have the benefit of the findings you refer to. I bow to their greater knowledge. I was simply speaking having been actively involved with the works at Worcester. A physical model of the roadworks at Worcester was built and tested at Aston University, Birmingham.

Stephen

[thewanderer]

Saturday 20th April 2024:

The first train since the 18th March rolls though Ballycar with the 1725 Ennis - Limerick at 1737 earlier this evening with 22001 in charge.

Great to see this important regional route reopened to our customers once again after the enforced closure.

The train later returned as the 1815 Limerick - Galway which I caught near Cratloe.

Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-2Bb4zb2 to view all the images.