Save Cork City group still wants tidal barrier

PROMINENT city centre retailers are calling on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to consider alternative options for flood defences as they fear the scale of the Cork City Flood Relief Scheme may hurt traders.
Eddie Mullins, managing director of Fitzgerald Menswear on Patrick Street, said he believes the OPW has the best interests of businesses at heart but fears works on their scheme may have a detrimental affect on trade.
“We desperately need to restore the river walls, some of them are in a disgraceful condition. That does need to happen but I fear the level of construction that will have to take place in the city centre where we already have gridlock at certain times of the day,” he said.
The OPW and consultants Arup this week published the scheme's exhibition report which addresses over 1,100 submissions from the statutory public consultation process.
The construction of flood defences includes the restoration of 3km of city quay walls and the installation of several pump chambers along the river.