Flood alleviation plan a step closer

LOCAL councillors will this week be presented with a report comprising details of a new flood defence plan for Clontarf and development of the promenade.

Under the Clontarf Promenade Development and Flood Alleviation Measures – Alfie Byrne Road to Wooden Bridge, a dual flood defence strategy is being proposed, which involves:

?¢ Leaving the existing sea wall generally as it is but extending it to minimum health and safety levels at the Alfie Byrne Road end where it is missing.

?¢ Providing a second wall with flood gates as near as possible to the Clontarf roadway for as much of the promenade as would be required.

?¢ The promenade area will be sacrificed to flood waters in extreme events and its length and grass surface will be used to advantage to contain and absorb flood waters.

?¢ The secondary wall will only have to cater for secondary waves and climate change thus reducing its height to a minimum.

?¢ The car parks and all of the flood gates will be closed following warnings of very high tides, which are normally issued two days in advance.

?¢ Further work is to be completed and includes reducing the height of the secondary flood wall to its minimum while maintaining the statutory flood protection levels required by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to secure funding.

In 2011, major controversy erupted in Clontarf when Dublin City Council proposed the construction of a flood defence embankment that would have seriously impacted on the visual amenities of the area. Thousands protested on the promenade and the plan was duly scrapped.

Subsequently, local residents and businesses met with Dublin City Council in a bid to find a way forward for development of the promenade that would include some form of flood defences.

Following the recommendation of a Conciliator between Clontarf Residents’ Association (CRA), Clontarf Business Association (CBA) and various departments of Dublin City Council, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was established in February 2013 to try and agree a strategy.

Deirdre Tobin, chairperson of Clontarf Residents’ Association (CRA), said the dual strategy is being tested because the JWG have considered following technical advice, that it is the solution most likely to offer protection from coastal flooding while preserving the safety of the amenity.

“The document is a brief which is an instruction to consultants to calculate the flood defence heights required if the two walls (sea wall and cycle path wall) are used to provide flood protection,

? Ms Tobin told Northside People.

“CRA and CBA are positive about the progress made to find a solution which respects the environment while providing much needed flooding protection.

“Before any decisions are taken the CRA and the CBA are committed to ensuring that the community is fully consulted and aware of the impact of the design.

“Once the heights for the dual strategy have been calculated, the JWG will consider the best strategy for communicating clearly to the community the impact of the proposal.

“Simultaneously, once a budget cost has been arrived at, public representatives will be approached to ensure that funding can be secured for flood alleviation works.

?

Given that Clontarf is prone to flooding, Ms Tobin said the community was extremely grateful to Dublin City Council for affording the protection it has done over the past number of weeks.

“But this temporary solution is not viable or economical, and a long term solution needs to be expedited as soon as possible,

? she added.

Clontarf ward councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind) said he very much appreciated all the work put into this report by the Joint Working Group.

“The report demonstrates that there has been a seismic shift in attitude towards the promenade and its flood defences and this is very much welcomed,

? he said.

“Last time around there was no public consultation prior to the Wooden Bridge public rally and it is vital there is comprehensive public consultation this time.

?

Sean Haughey, a Fianna Fail candidate in the Clontarf ward for the local elections, also welcomed publication of the report.

“I congratulate Clontarf Residents’ Association and Clontarf Business Association for working with Dublin City Council to outline new proposals for this nationally important amenity,

? he said.

“I welcome the recognition that this project should not be seen merely in terms of flood defences but that it should also involve the enhancement of this magnificent public open space.

?

Clontarf ward councillor Naoise O Muiri (FG) said:

“I want to commend Dublin City Council engineers, officials and representatives of Clontarf Residents’ Association and Clontarf Business Association for their efforts to work through to a proposal that ticks the key boxes.

“Ultimately any Clontarf defence proposal must comprehensively protect the seafront and local properties, it must have public support, and finally, it must stack up economically within the OPW assessment mechanisms in order to qualify for funding.

?