Cov er Story
Lower lee design update The Office of Public Works and both Cork local authorities have presented a new and revised scheme to protect homes and businesses from flooding. The enhanced flood scheme is guided by feedback received during the public consultation phase, including recommendations made by Cork Chamber. Cork City has a long history of flooding. It has been estimated that the damages caused by flooding in 2004, 2009 and 2014 amounted to €150m. The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme (LLFRS) represents the largest State investment in flood defence ever undertaken in the country. Extending over 15 km from west of Ballincollig to the eastern edge of Cork City Centre Island, the scheme will protect 900 homes and 1200 businesses from tidal and river flooding.
Public Realm Upgrades
The Lower Lee flood scheme incorporates transformational urban renewal, positioning the River Lee at the centre of the daily experience of local people and visitors alike. New walkways, cycleways and plazas will be created bringing the river closer to the public, from the Lee Fields to the City Centre. About two thirds of public river frontage will have open railings after the Scheme is completed and it will create approximately 8km of new or improved riverside walk and cycle ways from the Lee Fields to the City Centre. The River Lee will also become more open for usage through improved access points, pontoons and moorings
The Quay Walls
There is no proposal to build any high walls anywhere along the quays and no historic quay walls will be demolished. Many of the quays will require nothing other than repointing to bring them up to flood defence standard.
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What about a Tidal Barrier?
A tidal barrier will not solve all Cork’s flooding problems. While a tidal barrier could fix the tidal problem, it would not address the more destructive river flooding. For example, a tidal barrier would have made little difference during the most significant Cork flood in living memory in 2009. If a tidal barrier were built, river side defences would still be required through the city to address river flooding. A tidal barrier is neither necessary, viable or appropriate for Cork at this time, or indeed for the foreseeable future. In contrast, the proposed Scheme offers the optimum solution to all flooding issues in Cork in the medium to long term and is the only technically viable and cost beneficial option that provides the required standard of protection to Cork.
Timelines
Once approved, it is estimated that construction on the scheme will begin in the first half of 2021. Construction will subsequently be phased to minimise disruption, starting with Morrison’s Island to ensure early protection for the city centre. The scheme is estimated to be completed by 2026.
www.lowerleefrs.ie
Cover Image: OPW Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme Image