Residents encouraged to attend meetings on river flooding problem

PEOPLE were urged last night to attend a series of public meetings as part of a major study on flooding in the Lee catchment area.

Meetings will take place in Ballincollig, Macroom, Blarney, Glanmire, Midleton and Carrigaline to give people a chance to air their views on how flooding has affected them.

Suggestions will also be taken on board about what can be done to prevent flooding along the Lee.

The meetings have been arranged as part of the Lee Catchment study.

The study was launched earlier this year as part of a joint project involving the Office of Public Works, Cork City Council and Cork County Council.

It will assess the risk of flooding and the overall management of the River Lee and its tributaries and estuary.

The study was prompted by devastating floods which occurred in the city and county in October 2004.

It will focus on the Lee Estuary, the main watercourses, urban areas of specific flood risk and areas under significant development pressure.

Consultants Halcrow have been appointed to carry out the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study.

It is expected that their work will continue until early 2008 when a Flood Risk Management Plan will be published.

The plan will define the levels of existing and future flood risk in the Lee Catchment and suggest how it should be managed.

It is anticipated that a number of structural improvements will be suggested.

The public meetings are designed to give people an opportunity to discuss how floods have affected them.

“It is important that the knowledge and views of the general public are taken into consideration during the development of the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan,” a council spokesman said.

“Therefore, we are holding a series of public information and consultation days.

“They will provide information about the study, its objectives and programme for development and provide an opportunity for comment.

They will also allow us to gather information about the public perception of flood risk and experiences of flooding.”