Lee barrier could save us from floods

Some years back the planning talk was about a downriver crossing: will it be a bridge, will it be a tunnel?

A private engineer recommended a causeway crossing, complete with an internal lough, with sealed doors, so as not to interfere with shipping and a circular road around the lough so as not to interfere with traffic movement.

The door would be closed during a high tide or when an upriver surge with easterly wind was forecast (as in this past weekend) and the plans were published in the Cork Examiner. The proposal didn’t get a hearing from the Corporation or government because it wasn’t a political recommendation. Charlie Haughey said a tunnel, and a tunnel it was, when a causeway could have saved all this flooding.

The Thames barrier has saved London over the years. It’s time to go back to the planning board again in Cork and have our Lee barrier and protect the shopkeepers of the city for years to come.

Sean McCarthy

Ringaskiddy

Co Cork