Flood defence plans stepped up

A NORTHSIDE residents’ association is working with Dublin City Council to come up with a new design for a flood defence project after the initial plan was scrapped amid huge controversy.

In 2011, residents in Clontarf were concerned that a plan by Dublin City Council to build a flood defence scheme on the seafront would result in the loss of their sea views.

Huge protests involving hundreds of residents followed and in December 2011 the city council decided to scrap the plan.

The city council is now working with Clontarf Residents’ Association and Clontarf Business Association towards reaching agreement on a suitable plan.

A workshop was held in October 2012, which was attended by these groups and Dublin City Council and overseen by an agreed independent facilitator.

“As agreed at the workshop, a small working group representing a multi-disciplinary team from Dublin City Council, together with the local residents and business groups, was put in place to examine what options were available,

? a spokesperson for Dublin City Council told Northside People.

“Meetings of this Joint Working Group were held on February 21 and April 9 and further joint meetings are planned.

?

Deirdre Tobin, a spokesperson for Clontarf Residents’ Association, described the meetings as

“very cordial

?.

Ms Tobin said they would like to see a completely new design which would allow maximum use of the promenade while also providing flood defences for Clontarf.

“We do not believe it is our function to design any future scheme but we will work closely with Dublin City Council in an effort to achieve a multi-disciplinary enviro-friendly scheme,

? Ms Tobin told Northside People.

“It is far too early to be focusing on any one procurement method. There will be future communications regarding the procurement when we reach that point.

“In general, it is important to stress that this is a local authority project and the residents’ association plays a non-statutory role.

?

Ms Tobin said they can’t envisage when the new scheme – renamed the

‘Clontarf Promenade Development and Flood Defence Project’ – will eventually be built.

“When the original scheme was rejected in December 2011, we were told it would probably take several years to be ready to start again,

? she stated.

“Hopefully, it will be built as soon as possible but we couldn’t put a time on it yet.

?

When asked if there is a danger that, due to the recession, there will not be money available for a long time for a scheme acceptable to the residents, Ms Tobin replied:

“There is always a possibility but we must hope that once the new plan is in place, we will be living in better financial times and the authorities will be in a position to fund it.

?

On the issue of whether residents were finding it difficult or not to get insurance for their homes since the initial plan was scrapped, Ms Tobin said they were no different than other flood prone areas of the city.

“Some people have had problems insuring for flood damage but hopefully that will change once the project starts,

? she added.

Clontarf ward councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind) said it was accepted by all parties that there was a significant risk of flooding for houses and business premises along Clontarf Road.

“A flood defence is required that is of a multi-disciplinary design, one that guarantees public safety and accessibility, preserves the amenity and protects the environment,

? he stated.

Cllr O’Farrell described the meetings as a

“tremendous

? step forward.

“For the first time Dublin City Council has recognised the project as having

‘dual purpose’; protecting the environment/amenity as well as providing a flood defence,

? he added.

“Also, the promenade is now being recognised in its own right as one of the city’s parks and any future flood defence design will develop and enhance the promenade, including making sure it’s a safe place to walk, play and cycle.

?