Cork flood protection project will put minds at ease, say businesses

BUSINESSES in Cork city centre have welcomed the news that work is due to commence on the Morrison’s Island Public Realm Improvement and Flood Protection Scheme, in 2024.

Business owners have said the project will help to put their minds at ease during flood alerts.

It follows confirmation from Gerry O’Beirne, the director of services of infrastructure development at Cork City Council, that it is anticipated that tender assessments and contractor appointments will be completed in the first quarter of 2024, with works to commence in quarter two and to be carried out for the duration of 20 months.

In response to a question submitted to the council by Fine Gael councillor Joe Kavanagh on the status of the flood relief scheme, Mr O’Beirne said the scheme, which provides for a complete renewal of the public realm along Morrisons and Fr Matthew Quay, creates an opportunity to provide enhanced flood protection measures to the benefit of c. 400 properties in that part of the city.

He said that detailed design and tender documents have been finalised, and tenders are now being sought from the shortlisted main contractors and specialist contractors.

“It is expected that the scheme, when completed, will be transformative in its impact — further supporting the ongoing private sector investment in the area, as well as creating new opportunities for the public to enjoy this riverside location,” he said.

'We were nervous during Jazz weekend'

Eileen Domiati, of Dulce Bun House on Oliver Plunkett St, welcomed the news and said that the scheme will help to put business owners’ minds at ease during a flood alert.

“We’ve been open for six years in December and we have been flooded once already.

“We have obviously invested in floodgates since then, but during the Jazz [Festival] we were very nervous.”

She noted how water was coming up through the drains, in parts of the city, during the Jazz Festival weekend and said that she believed “in addition to the flood relief that’s required, they will have to do something about drainage”.

Cork City Council confirmed to The Echo that the scheme design includes the installation of non-return valves on the surface water drainage outfalls, at both Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay, to address surface water flooding in the area.

The Cork city and county chairperson of Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), Michael O’Donovan, said it is great for businesses on the island to hear this news.

“What we saw happening on Jazz [Festival] weekend, hopefully, will be something of the past and give businesses confidence about the future,” he said.

Paul Walsh, who runs the 3 Little Piggies cafe on Union Quay said he is “delighted” for those businesses in the city centre that are regularly affected by flooding.

“Thankfully, on my side on Union Quay my café does not flood and it's more of a hindrance than anything slowing business to a crawl when it does happen,” he said.

“I am delighted for the South Mall, Oliver Plunkett Street and surrounding areas that have been devastated by floods in the past that this section is going ahead."

Residents and businesses deserve protection 

Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said the appointment of contractors for the commencement of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is eagerly anticipated.

“Our city centre businesses and residents deserve the protection from flooding that the scheme will provide.

“It is all too evident the devastating effects that flooding has on businesses and homes.”

Speaking to The Echo, councillor Joe Kavanagh said that while there have been “an awful lot of false starts” on the project, there is now “light at the end of the tunnel”.

“It’s great to see that measures are now finally going to be put in place, that will actually be of benefit to our city centre dwellers and our city centre businesses,” he said.