Flood relief scheme is announced for Bandon

ONE of the towns worst affected by November’s devastating floods yesterday moved a step closer to a full-scale flood relief scheme.

Junior Minister Martin Mansergh said consultants will be appointed soon to draw up detailed plans for a €10 million project to protect Bandon, in West Cork.

The news came as the neighbouring West Cork town of Skibbereen braced itself yet again last night for further flooding. Army trucks under the command of Commandant Mick Doyle were sent to the town to assist with sandbagging and the movement of any residents affected. It is the second time this week that Army personnel have been sent to Skibbereen.

Mr Mansergh visited Bandon and Skibbereen yesterday, as well as Clonakilty and Kinsale, in the company of county manager Martin Riordan, county engineer Noel O’Keeffe and county mayor Derry Canty.

In Bandon, he announced that the Office of Public Works is committed to a major flood relief scheme for the town. “We will be appointing consultants shortly to draw up a full scheme,” he said.

“In the case of Clonakilty and Skibbereen, full schemes may be needed but in the meantime, we are sending out invitations to local authorities for minor flood relief works such as strengthening walls.”

He also announced a €6m package for minor flood prevention and coastal erosion protection works which can be delivered this year. Local authorities will be invited to submit details of their schemes in the coming days, he said.

Tens of millions of euro worth of damage was caused to businesses in Bandon on November 19 last when the river Bandon burst its banks. The county council has submitted detailed plans to the OPW for a huge flood relief scheme for Bandon. Councillors will be briefed next week on the project, which could take up to three years to complete.

Mayor of Bandon Gearóid Buckley welcomed the minister’s announcement.

“Many of the problems in Bandon have been caused by bad planning. If we engineered our way into this problem it surely follows that we can engineer our way out of it,” he said.

Councillor Alan Coleman, FF, saw the announcement as proof of the Government’s commitment to the town.

But businesswoman Ruth Healy, whose culinary store on McSwiney Quay was damaged in the flood, sounded a note of caution.

“It sounds wonderful but until work on the ground is happening, nothing is happening,” she said.

Bandon Working Together spokespersons Gillian Powell and Suzanne Murphy said an early warning flood alert system needs to be set up in the town.