Recent flooding in Cork and the serious threat that it is posing to businesses has been the subject of
much debate in recent months and years. The Chamber has persistently called on those charged
with the responsibility for protecting Cork from localised flooding to immediately address this urgent
and ongoing issue and fast-track the project timelines for the Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief
Scheme, due for completion in 2017.
Following the devastation and destruction caused this week, with major clean-up operations
underway, it is clear that there is no more time to rest on our laurels and Minister of State Brian
Hayes T.D. for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works and both local authorities need
to do everything possible to ensure that the Flood Relief Scheme is prioritised and funded and not
delayed in design or construction. In addition, whatever monies are available to residents affected
by flooding through humanitarian aid, a matching fund needs to be made available for those
businesses affected.
The Chamber has consistently outlined their concern to both local and national government, around
the uncertainty in relation to future flood prevention in Cork and the serious impact this is having on
business. However, it is clear that the time is here for real action. Given the unfortunate recent
events which have placed a renewed focus on the necessary flood defence requirements, Cork
Chamber has requested an urgent meeting with Minister Hayes during his trip to Cork this week to
allay the most pressing concerns of the business community to him.
The most pressing concern for many businesses is that they can no longer get flood insurance cover
so they have to put practical flood defence methods in place instead, such as, ensuring stock is not
left on the ground, putting in flood barriers and stacking sand bags at their doors. Flooding is much
more than an inconvenience; it is a serious threat to businesses.
There have been several serious flooding events in the Cork region in recent years, none of which
have been satisfactorily addressed. Given the significant increase in localised flooding events, it is
essential that the causes are investigated without delay and the necessary investments are made,
accompanied by the implementation of planned warning systems. We need more emphasis on
prevention and communication so that local businesses can take measures to protect against flood
events,
In particular, with regard to the Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme (including Blackpool) the
Chamber has a number of issues of which the main ones relate to the importance of communication
and interaction during the scheme design phase and in particular interaction with the public,
residents and businesses so drastically affected by the complex flood events that have hit Cork City
over the past number of years. We are particularly concerned about the level and timing of future
consultations planned.
We recommend a number of actions and will be advocating these to Minister Hayes while in Cork
this week. Firstly there needs to be a further public consultation event should take place prior to the
planned event to present the preferred scheme. We note the OPW’s intention that; “Once a
preferred Flood Relief Scheme has been determined and an outline design completed, the OPW will
formally publicly exhibit the proposed scheme in accordance with the Arterial Drainage Acts”.
In line with best practice on other major public infrastructure projects, it is reasonable to expect that
the developing authority will afford members of the public, and particularly those directly affected
by the flooding, an opportunity to review and comment on an “emerging preferred strategy” against
a series of alternative options. As such, we do not believe it is appropriate to progress to completing
a design for a preferred scheme without having had a meaningful consultation with stakeholders
(including residents and business owners) on options and alternatives.
A schedule for the design and implementation phases of the project should be published and made
available on the project website. This should clearly identify the milestones for the project covering
the current design phase as a minimum and clearly indicate dates for; next public consultations,
design completion, tendering, construction commencement. We believe it is critical that a milestone
schedule for the project is published so as to restore some level of public confidence that targets are
being worked to. There is a distinct lack of confidence amongst our members due to the lack of
information regarding a clear timeline for delivery of the project to alleviate flooding is the City.
It has been four years since the severe 2009 flooding event and Cork businesses are facing into a
further 4-year project timeline before Cork City is protected fully from potential future flooding.
Businesses do not have the luxury of time if they are to protect their businesses and require that the
necessary works are prioritized and implemented as soon as possible. This week’s flooding, once
again demonstrates the critically and seriousness of solving this continuing issue.