Bantry flood relief scheme moving to planning phase

Bantry’s €40m flood relief scheme is due to move into planning in the final months of the year, as councillors warned that the town cannot face another winter without progress.

The main Bantry flood relief scheme has reached the end of its development stage, with a preferred option now identified.

Brendan Meagher, acting county engineer, told a meeting of Cork County Council’s Western Division that stage two — the confirmation and planning process — would begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The scheme is designed to protect Bantry against a one-in-100-year river flood and a one-in-200-year tidal flood. It is expected to include river flood defences, such as walls and embankments, along with sea walls.

Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins said works and maintenance in the town remained urgently needed as another winter approached.

 He welcomed resurfacing works due to begin on streets in Bantry but said the wider flooding risk remains a serious concern.

Mr Collins said the council needed to keep up pressure on the project and ensure measures were in place ahead of periods of heavy rain.

Mr Meagher said the first stage of the scheme was substantially complete. It includes reports on the preferred option, climate adaptation, operation and maintenance, costs, hydrology and hydraulic modelling, as well as preliminary drawings. Interim works are also continuing.

A roughing screen was installed at the community gardens in July to stop debris being carried into culverts, where it can block water flow and increase the risk of flooding.

The council is finalising locations for screens on the Mill Rivers and must reach agreement with affected property owners before those works can proceed. 

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the wider flood relief programme, with Cork County Council acting as its client partner on the Bantry scheme.

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