Flood defence plan will improve Cork city views: OPW

City-centre views of the River Lee will be improved by proposed flood defences in Cork and some elements will be redesigned to preserve historic features, says the Office of Public Works.

In a report responding to concerns raised during public consultations on the planned €140m scheme for the city, the OPW and consultants Arup said the majority of proposed defence walls in the city centre would be no higher than knee height.

The prospect of replacing and heightening quay walls in and near the city centre has sparked considerable opposition. One campaign group wants a tidal barrier built instead, saying that doing so 10km downstream of the city centre would cost about €140m.