Government announces public consultation for long-awaited flood defence scheme in Cork

Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said the project has been delayed by the Department of Public Expenditure 'for over two years'

The Government has published a notice of public consultation for the scheme, which will include the construction of flood defences along a stretch of the River Bride and its tributaries in Blackpool. File picture: Larry Cummins

A public consultation process has been announced for a long-awaited €20 million flood defence scheme in Cork City.

The River Bride (Blackpool) Certified Drainage Scheme was first mooted 12 years ago and was delayed because of a legal challenge over four years ago. 

Earlier this year, the Office of Public Works received and reviewed a draft update to the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project.

Now, the Government has published a notice of public consultation for the scheme, which will include the construction of flood defences along a stretch of the River Bride and its tributaries in Blackpool.

As part of the project, new flood walls and embankments will be constructed, along with new culverts. The scheme will also incorporate a bridge replacement, the installation of sediment traps, modifications to existing foul/surface water collection networks in the area, and the construction of pumping stations.

The project was mooted in 2013, following a devastating flood in Blackpool in 2012, and it is intended to protect almost 300 residential and commercial properties in the area.

Although the scheme was submitted for approval of the then minister for public expenditure in 2018, it was not rubber stamped until 2021. However, a subsequent legal challenge to the project by the Save Our Bride Otters group resulted in a ministerial order in 2022 for the project evaluation to be returned for public consultation.

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As a result, the Office of Public Works had to prepare new environment information in respect of the scheme, finally culminating earlier this year in the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment.

Now, members of the public are invited to have their say.

Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke welcomes the new public consultation but said the project has been delayed by the Department of Public Expenditure “for over two years". 

He continued: “We are 12 years on and I think it is important once the public consultation is over that we should try to progress with the project.” 

Submissions can be made up until October 10, by email to [e-mail] or by post to OPW Vote Section (Room -1.04), Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 R583.