Wicklow County Council has announced a new tender, valued at an estimated €100 million, for the delivery of the long-awaited Arklow Flood Relief Scheme. This marks another step towards implementing flood protection measures along the Avoca River.
The contract notice, published on Monday, October 12th, concerns the award of a framework agreement to a single contractor covering the main construction works and associated ancillary tasks for the project.
Interested contractors have until November 13th, 2026, to submit their applications; a start date for construction has not yet been confirmed.
This initiative represents progress on a key infrastructure project designed to address Arklow’s long-standing vulnerability to both riverine and tidal flooding.
Throughout its history, the town has experienced several major floods, including catastrophic surges associated with Hurricane Charlie in 1986.
More recently, in January 2026, Storm Chandra caused further flooding in Arklow, heightening concerns regarding the safety of local infrastructure, businesses, and residential areas in the face of extreme weather events.
The planned project, being carried out by Wicklow County Council with financial support from the Office of Public Works, involves the construction of flood walls and embankments, bridge works, and dredging of the Avoca River channel in selected sections.
These measures aim to reduce flood risk and enhance protection for properties, businesses, and infrastructure throughout the town.
However, it should be noted that the €100 million figure cited in the contract notice represents the estimated value of the framework agreement, not the final, confirmed construction cost.
The announcement of the tender does not signal the immediate start of construction work, as a contractor has yet to be selected.
As the tender process moves forward, key considerations will include the work schedule, potential disruptions for local businesses and residents, and the overall project delivery. With the deadline for bid submissions set for November 13th, attention will now shift to selecting a contractor and the subsequent stages of the project.
For Arklow, this latest announcement marks another step in the long-standing effort to secure comprehensive flood protection for the town.
