Fermoy Flood Alleviation Scheme
Public Exhibition
Tuesday 27th April 2004
2pm to 8pm
Introduction
Fermoy town has a long history of flooding from the Blackwater River. The effects of the flooding on some residents and businesses have been severe. Cork County Council and Fermoy Town Council along with the Office of Public Works, were keen to devise a means to reduce the incidence of flooding in Fermoy town. Consultants were contracted to study the flooding problem and to make proposals to reduce flooding in the future. The options considered together with the preferred flood alleviation scheme will be exhibited on the 27th April.
All those affected by the flooding are welcome to visit the exhibition, examine the proposals and discuss the implications with the exhibitions presenters. The presenters will be made up of the representation from the consultants, the Office of Public Works, Cork County Council and Fermoy Town Council. Comments on the scheme are invited and can be made at the exhibition or by writing to the address below.
What is proposed?
A combination of embankments, permanent walls, temporary walls and mill race gates are proposed. The defences on the north bank of the river (east and west of Brian Boru Square) will consists of embankments and temporary demountable structures across the Dublin Road and at access points.
On the South bank, and upstream of Fermoy Bridge, the defences will be a combination of low permanent walls and temporary demountable walls. The temporary walls are only erected when a flood is forecasted. On the south bank, downstream of Fermoy Bridge, the defences will consist of low and high permanent walls, temporary demountable walls and embankments.
Phasing
The flood alleviation measures will be constructed in three separate phases. In the first phase, the embankments and walls on the north bank will be constructed. The second phase concerns the works on Ashe Quay and the final phase the remainder of the works.
How will the scheme work?
Permanent walls and embankments will be constructed at certain locations. Elsewhere, temporary demountable structures will be used.
A flood warning system is being put into place to provide information on the size and timing of flood occurring further upstream on the Blackwater River. When flooding is forecasted to occur in Fermoy, the temporary demountable defences (walls and gates) will be erected at short notice. The scheme is designed to defend against flooding up to the 1 in 100 year flood. The temporary defences will be taken down when the flood and the risk of further flooding has abated.
What impacts to the environment are expected as a result of the scheme?
An Environmental Impact Statement was prepared by Michael Punch & Co. to document the expected impacts to the environment arising from the preferred scheme. The scheme will be designed to minimise the impacts to the environment. The existing features of the riverscape in the town are to be retained, i.e. the bridge, the weir, the island, the mill race.
The impacts to the Blackwater River will be minimised, as the works are limited to the banks of the river only and to the town areas only.
Before it happens?
Before the scheme can proceed it will be subject to a formal Planning/Exhibition Stage.
In advance of a formal Exhibition Stage, landowners will be contacted by the Office of Public Works or its agents. The impacts of the scheme on you and your lands can be discussed. Providing comments at or arising from the exhibition will increase our awareness of your concerns.
When will it happen and who will fund the scheme?
It is intended to construct the scheme in phases. Funding is to be provided by the Office of Public Works. The cost of the scheme is estimated at approximately €24million.
Works on a Flood Warning System has already been commenced by the OPW. Assuming that a formal Exhibition process is successfully completed in the next twelve months, it is hoped to commence construction work on the first Phase in 2006.
Contact Details for written comments:
Project Management Services
Flood Relief Section
The Office of Public Works
51 St Stephens Green
Dublin 2
Consultants
DHV Group
T.J. O'Connor & Associates
Babtie Group
