Bantry Flood Relief Scheme Public Participation Event

Historically and in recent years Bantry has been severely and repeatedly impacted by major flood events. Earlier this year, Cork County Council working with the Office of Public Works (OPW) appointed JB Barry and Partners Ltd and JBA Consulting Engineers and Scientists Ltd, as consultant for the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme.

The Council in co-operation with the OPW is now inviting members of the public, business operators and other interested parties to a Public Participation Day on the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme. The event will be held in Áras Beanntraí, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry on Wednesday 18th May between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.

Stage 1 of the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme involves a detailed study of flooding mechanisms in Bantry and its environs. The initial stage of the scheme includes extensive data collection, site investigation, hydraulic and hydrological assessment, and public consultation to identify a preferred option.

Different potential options will be assessed and the most appropriate sustainable solutions to alleviate flooding will be brought to planning stage. There will be two further public participation days as the preferred option emerges prior to submission of a planning application. Presentations will be given on the evening by the project team at 5pm and 7pm.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan welcomed the first public participation day for the Scheme, “The success of the recent flood relief schemes including Bandon and Clonakilty demonstrates the wide ranging, positive impact these schemes have on communities. I would like to encourage members of the public and representatives from local business to attend the initial public participation day in Bantry on May 18th and share their experiences. Cork County Council warmly welcomes the OPW advancing this scheme which will provide critical infrastructure to provide protection for Bantry against significant flood events in the future similar to those experienced in recent years.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added, “The Bantry Flood Relief Scheme involves the analysis of several very complex factors, including tidal, fluvial and pluvial flood mechanisms. Constraints include environmental factors, cultural and heritage elements, and impacts on existing infrastructure. This event is an opportunity for interested parties to share their experience of flooding in Bantry, submit comments and make their views known to the project team. I encourage everyone to participate in this very important step in progressing the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme and to have your say.”

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan stated, “I am pleased that, following the appointment of consultant engineers in February, the community in Bantry now has the opportunity to engage in a public participation day next Wednesday. The Government has allocated significant funding for flood relief under the National Development Plan, but it is really important that our response to flooding is robustly designed and incorporates the views of the community it is designed to protect. I therefore encourage all stakeholders and members of the public to share their experience of, and knowledge on, flood events and to actively input into the development of the flood relief scheme for Bantry from the very start.”

Cork County Council welcomes feedback on the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme project and encourages members of the public to submit their feedback by completing the questionnaire at the Public Participation Day or by emailing info@bantryfrs.ie or by post to Bantry Flood Relief Scheme, JBA Consulting, Unit 24 Grove Island, Corbally, Limerick.

Project website is now live on bantryfrs.ie.