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.