Flood plan delay over possible conflict of interest

A potential conflict of interests has delayed a major flood defence plan for Cork, it emerged last night.

The Irish Examiner has learned that the preferred tenderer for the Lower Lee Flood Protection project, which was due to start almost a year ago and to include specific flood defence proposals for Blackpool, had to provide clarification to the Office of Public Works (OPW) after a potential conflict of interest situation arose.

The revelation comes ahead of today’s scheduled meeting between the minister in charge of the OPW, Brian Hayes, and a delegation from Blackpool, which was last week flooded for the second time in nine months. The delegation will demand that he fast-track the flood defence study and provide funding.

“The minister is fully aware of the difficulties being experienced by the people of Blackpool,” said an OPW spokeswoman.

“He is confident that an effective, long-term solution can be found.”

Consultants will be appointed to the study “shortly”, with recommendations expected within a year, she added.

The scheme is included in the OPW’s funding plans, but the spokeswoman said all public expenditure was subject to ongoing review.

Blackpool was swamped by up to 4ft of water last Thursday night. It was the second flood to hit the area in just nine months.

While culvert capacity was blamed for the Jun 2012 flood, a city council report blamed a blocked trash screen for the latest deluge.

However, public representatives said it was “man-made”, because 15 tonnes of rock were left in the river after the city council repaired a pedestrian bridge in Orchard Court. The rock reduced culvert capacity and created a mini-dam, according to Cllr Pat Gosch.

However, city manager Tim Lucey said there was no evidence to support this claim.

He ruled out compensation and a rates holiday for affected businesses, and said it is likely to take several years before the OPW recommends long-term flood prevention plans for the area.

In the meantime, he said the council will appoint consultants to advise on the installation of extra trash screens, and on improved culvert monitoring.

Sinn Féin’s Cllr Tom Gould walked out of Monday’s council meeting in disgust at inaction on the flooding issue.

“I couldn’t, in all good conscience, remain in a meeting that I felt was effectively doing absolutely nothing to address the situation,” he said.

“If Cork City Council does not help and fight for the people and businesses of Blackpool, who will?”

Cllr Mick Finn criticised the OPW for dragging its heels.

“The time for reports and modelling is over — now is the time for action,” he said.

Meanwhile, proposals are being prepared for improvements on the Glasheen Stream to prevent a repeat of flooding on the Magazine Rd, between College Rd and Dennehy’s Cross.

It is hoped that the work will be carried out in late summer.