Blackpool residents fear of flood risk after culled trees left along riverbank

Tonnes of culled timber sitting on the banks of the River Bride has sparked calls among locals in Blackpool for immediate action from ESB.

Residents and public representatives across Blackpool on Cork city's northside fear they could be hit by flooding due to tonnes of abandoned culled trees left along the River Bride.

Crews from a tree care company were seen cutting hundreds of trees along the riverbank outside the Northpoint Business Park in January. 

The majority of the timber is still there.

While the ESB has said there is “no record" of the company or its contractors carrying out this work, a crew member said works were undertaken in the area to prevent growth-impacts to over-head high tension wires, and that the removal of debris was not included as part of their contractual agreement with the electricity company.

Speaking to The Irish Examiner, local businessman Jer Buckley, who previously lost his Centra franchise due to consistent flood damage, said Blackpool is “Enniscorthy waiting to happen”.

“I am extremely worried about this, it’s beyond belief,” said Mr Buckley.

“I spoke with the contractor myself and they said that it wasn’t in their contract with ESB to remove the trees.

“It’s a slap in the face to flood victims in the local community. The least they can do is remove them."

He said there are tonnes of timber "ready to flow down the river".

Crews from a tree care company were seen cutting hundreds of trees along the riverbank outside the Northpoint Business Park in January. 

“It's like we have to have a major catastrophe in Blackpool before it’s taken seriously."

Another local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the build-up of timber could cause “serious havoc and flooding for residents and businesses”.

“Where I’m living, we’ve been flooded three times in the last 13 years,” they said.

That river is dangerous when it’s high, they should have cleared the whole area — residents here are not happy.

“To have just cut them and left them there, the sooner the flood relief works get the go ahead, the better."

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Colm Burke said the abandonment of the culled trees is not only a public health risk, but also a risk for property owners. 

“This will cause flooding, and when the flooding comes, it will come very quickly,” said Mr Burke.

“You could have up to two feet of water flowing in a very short timeframe. We need immediate action to mitigate the risk."

Mr Burke said he also spoke with the contractors who reiterated their claim of working on behalf of ESB. 

However, a spokesperson for the company said they suspect the works were carried out by “another body”.

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