Claim that flood relief works contributed to weir collapse
THE Office of Public Works (OPW) should shoulder the lion’s share of the blame for the recent collapse of part of the weir in Fermoy and must now step in to help fund repair works to the entire protected structure.
That’s the view of Save the Weir campaign member Donal O’Keeffe who has been speaking to The Corkman. Mr O’Keeffe this week claimed that “anyone with even a basic knowledge of the history of the weir could have predicted this was going to happen”.
Mr O’Keeffe, who has been at the forefront of the more than decade long campaign to repair the weir, said he believed works on the multi-million Fermoy flood protection scheme had “undoubtedly” contributed to the collapse of the large section of weir down river from the town bridge.
He pointed out that as part of the works to narrow the River Blackwater at O’Neill Crowley Quay, OPW contractors drove dozens of piles into the river bed.
“At the time I believe this caused structural damage to buildings in the town, so in my opinion it was inevitable that it would loosen the capstones on the section of weir closed to the quay. Narrowing the river also increased the flow of water over these capstones, so it was only a matter of time before they would be swept away,” said Mr O’Keeffe.
He went on to point out that when the current flow of the river abates, the damage already caused to the weir will mean that the level of water flowing though the town would be at its lowest for centuries.
“That will have a devastating impact both on wildlife in the river and on the various groups such as the local rowing club, fishermen and the wheelchair accessible boat that uses the Blackwater on a regular basis,” said Mr O’Keeffe.
While Mr O’Keeffe called on the OPW to step in and help fund repairs to the weir, he said the overall poor condition of the entire structure on both sides of the bridge was a matter for Cork County Council as owners.
“For years officials have been warned the weir was in danger of being swept away and still nothing has been done. If this were a Council owned house it would have been addressed long ago,” he fumed.
“The fear now is that it will take just one major flood to wash the entire structure away. If the last week has shown anything, it is that time is not on our side. What is needed now is action, not words and empty promises,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Fermoy town councillor Pa O’Driscoll has also expressed serious concern over the ongoing delay in addressing the poor condition of the weir.
“As a member of Fermoy Town Council, numerous meetings and debates were held on what should happen. Five years on (from the abolition of the Town Council) there is still no commitment on when the works will start and how much they will cost. This is unacceptable,” said the Cork East Fine Gael general election candidate.
He said local clubs, business and residents needed to be assured that the relevant authorities will take the steps needed to undertake works to the weir as a matter of urgency.
“The condition of the weir, so evident during the dry summer, is a worrying issue - but that had been known about for long enough. It is time for decisions to be made to ensure that it is not further eroded,” said Mr O’Driscoll.
“It is clear that local interest groups and local councillors have done all they can to progress this issue. National decision-makers now need to make decisions, not offer reasons for further delays. It is too important to the town of Fermoy for decisions on the future of the weir to be delayed any further,” he added.