Plan taking shape for interim flood-relief scheme in Midleton area

Plans are taking shape for an interim flood-relief scheme in Midleton, with details of the project set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Four months ago Storm Babet wreaked destruction in east Cork, leaving many homes and business owners devastated.

The Office of Public Works revealed it has been working with Cork County Council in the hope of preventing future destruction. An OPW spokesperson issued an update on the progress made to date.

“Following the flooding event last October in Midleton during Storm Babet, Cork County Council has commenced works to help mitigate the impact from a flood event, pending the completion of the flood-relief scheme for Midleton,” it told The Echo.

“An assessment of this storm event, by the consultant engineers for this scheme, published in December 2023 and available on the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme website, recommended implementing an assessment of the interim measures to mitigate the flood risk in the short- and medium- term, pending the completion of the major flood relief scheme for the town. This assessment is nearing completion, and will help to inform the interim measures to be brought forward. The details of these measures will be announced, when available, over the coming weeks.”

It said that representatives from the community were involved in the process.

“The OPW is working with Cork County Council to help identify the feasible interim measures for the town, and the steering group for the scheme is discussing potential interim measures with representatives from the local community,” the OPW stated.

The minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, also referenced plans when addressing the Oireachtas finance and public expenditure committee this week. He said a plan for interim flood-defence measures for Midleton is set to be completed by Cork County Council in a matter of weeks.

Meanwhile, Cork East TD James O’Connor praised Cork County Council.

“There’s a huge amount of work being done behind the scenes to speed this up as quickly as possible,” he told The Echo.

“The county council were outstanding in terms of the level of proactiveness they have shown. However, that same due process and respect needs to be reflected at a departmental level.”