County mayor demands fast-tracked funding for flood alleviation scheme in Cork town

THE Mayor of Co Cork has said the flood prevention plan for Midleton has been in the planning stages for too long, saying that Government funding is urgently needed to make it happen.

Frank O’Flynn mentioned the success of the Bandon Flood Relief Scheme, and said several similar schemes in other towns had also put a stop to periodic flooding and the devastation that comes with it.

He said that, in addition to funding to help businesses, residents, and the council fixing the road damage, he would be calling for funds to fast-track the flood alleviation plans for Midleton.

“The times of just talking about the plans is over, a system must be in place, we just need the ways and means to make it happen now”, he said.

A statement from the Office of Public Works yesterday said: “Cork County Council is leading on a flood relief scheme for Midleton.

“An option for a flood relief scheme for Midleton to protect some 580 properties, of which 400 are homes, has emerged following extensive analysis.

“The scheme will provide protection against flooding from the Dungourney and Owenacurra Rivers, and ehe environmental impact assessment report is being prepared for this preferred option.

“The current programme for this scheme is that planning consent will be applied for in the first part of 2024. Total project budget for this scheme is estimated to be €50m.”

A substantial aid package in the order of the tens of millions of Euro will be needed to get families and businesses throughout east Cork, villages such as Rathcormac, Killeagh, Ladysbridge and, the hardest hit areas of Midleton and Glanmire, back on their feet, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East James O’Connor has said.

Speaking to The Echo from the main street of Killeagh he said: “This is a disaster that extends throughout east Cork and the cost will be in the tens of millions. It’s devastating.

“Killeagh is home to me and in 200 years there’s never been a flood and Wednesday the entire street flooded.”