Council responds to flood defence criticism

COASTAL flooding at Baldoyle could have been prevented if Fingal County Council had acted on its own flood protection report, it has been claimed.

However, the council maintained that its priority is the protection of houses and businesses from flooding.

Brian McDonagh, a Labour Party candidate for the Howth Malahide ward in this year’s local elections, said that on the day of the high tide (January 3), homes were flooded

“needlessly

?.

“At a location on the road between Baldoyle and Portmarnock, near the Mayne River, the water surged in through an open fence where residents have asked the council for a wall to be built to prevent the flooding,

? Mr McDonagh told Northside People.

“This should be at a relatively low cost and would also prevent the busy Coast Road between Baldoyle and Portmarnock being blocked.

?

Mr McDonagh said that following the major floods of February 1, 2002, the Royal Haskoning report made recommendations for a Dublin Coastal Flood Protection project.

“The report covers the area from Martello Tower in Portmarnock and runs all the way to Sutton and beyond,

? he stated.

“Fingal County Council needs to implement the specific recommendations to prevent this happening. This increasingly busy road was also blocked at Portmarnock roundabout.

“Flooding is a problem that is not going away and it’s not just the coast that’s affected.

“In the past, areas up-stream in Baldoyle and Balgriffin have been severely flooded by heavy rains and high tides. It is important that the council is planning for the next 20 to 30 years and beyond.

“The council’s own South Fingal Fringe study shows that developments planned for South Portmarnock, Balgriffin, Baldoyle and on the Moyne Road will increase surface water run off and increase danger of flooding in many areas.

?

Mr McDonagh said it was important that appropriate recommended flood defences were implemented.

“Assuming scientific predictions on sea-level rises are correct, then the problem will be even greater and we will need to start thinking about tidal protection measures for Baldoyle estuary and Sutton,

? he added.

A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council said the high tide, which occurred at 1pm on Friday, January 3, was the highest on record in the Dublin area.

“As a consequence of the high tide, there was some flooding of roads along the coastline in the Howth-Malahide area,

? she told Northside People.

“Fingal County Council’s priority is the protection of houses and businesses from flooding.

“The Fingal East Meath Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (FEMFRAMS) recommended flood defence works for Malahide Village and at Portmarnock Bridge.

“The Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study is currently in progress and due for completion in 2015 with implementation and review from 2016.

“This study addresses flood risk and management in Baldoyle, Sutton and Howth coastal areas as well as other areas.

?

The spokeswoman said the Royal Haskoning report (Dublin Coastal Flooding Protection Report) refers to flood alleviation works at Portmarnock Bridge.

“Fingal County Council are in discussions with the Office of Public Works (OPW) in relation to funding to advance these projects,

? she added.