Cork’s €20m Blackpool flood relief scheme faces fresh calls for fast-tracking

While the village escaped flooding in the recent rains, it has suffered devastating floods before – most recently in 2010, 2012 and again in 2013

The Blackpool Flood Relief Scheme includes the construction of direct flood defences and river flow improvement measures along a stretch of the Bride, and on some of its tributaries, including several hundred metres of new flood walls and earthen embankments, and a controversial culvert. File picture

New environmental studies for a delayed €20m flood defence scheme in Cork City have been completed, prompting fresh calls for the project to be fast-tracked.

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers confirmed that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has received and is reviewing a draft update to the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Blackpool flood relief scheme, which was ordered after a legal challenge over four years ago.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, said the scheme was first proposed over a decade ago and the ongoing delay is hampering Blackpool's growth and development.

“Why should Blackpool, the commercial heart of the city’s northside for years, be left to wait like this?” he said.

“When you look at Glanmire and see the flood relief scheme nearing completion, you can see how it will make a huge difference to the area. But nothing can happen in the heart of Blackpool until there is a resolution to this flood risk.

People are slow to invest in their own properties, and banks are slow to lend for investment or purchases unless there is certainty on the flood relief scheme. 

"The insurance issues arising out of the flood risk are just too great. The flood scheme here was first proposed over 12 years ago and we are still waiting. This needs to be fast-tracked now.” 

There was concern in Blackpool recently when heavy rain led to high water levels in the River Bride which flows through Blackpool and into the River Lee at Christy Ring Bridge. While the village escaped flooding this time, it has suffered devastating floods before – most recently in 2010, 2012 and again in 2013.

The 2012 flood prompted the initiation of the Blackpool Flood Relief Scheme in 2013, designed to protect some 290 residential and commercial properties.

It includes the construction of direct flood defences and river flow improvement measures along a stretch of the Bride, and on some of its tributaries, including several hundred metres of new flood walls and earthen embankments, a controversial culvert, as well as bridge replacements, the installation of sediment traps, modifications to existing foul and surface water collection networks in the area, and the construction of pumping stations.

The scheme was submitted to the former minister for public expenditure in 2018 but wasn’t granted consent until 2021. Then in June 2021, that decision was challenged by a community group, Save Our Bride Otters, which was granted leave to apply for a judicial review.

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In January 2022, the State conceded and the minister agreed to an order reverting the evaluation of the scheme back for further public consultation, which meant the OPW had to supply a raft of new environmental information.

The OPW provided that information in October 2022 but in November 2023, it was asked for more, and additional surveys were required. They conducted these surveys throughout 2024 in line with seasonal restrictions.

All the information is now with the OPW which is preparing a draft update to the Environmental Impact Assessment for submission to the minister in the coming weeks.