Remedial works on Barnane welcomed
Remedial works to the popular Fermoy amenity, Barnane Walk, have begun following outcries from locals over a period of time regarding frequent flooding and the bad state of repair of the walkway .
The past year due to Covid restrictions has seen an increase in the use of the walk which was already being used by locals on a daily basis, making the amenity more important to the area than ever. However, in Winter months, a combination of high rainfall and high river water often left the walk inaccessible due to flooding.
Cork County Council has now carried out works to help alleviate flooding and a new pipe was re-laid to reduce the build-up of water. Works were carried out in respect of a partially blocked culvert under the Barnane wall serving the stream that drains to the Blackwater through private lands at this location.
Issues have also arisen regarding erosion to the river banks along Barnane, as a section of the bank had begun to fall away into the river and was previously blocked off with cones and tape for the public’s safety.
“This is a temporary measure funded from Council discretionary funds and a larger project is now been proposed under Climate Adaptation and Resilience Works 2021 which will include a permanent resolution for the stream flooding and boundary wall, as well as preventing further erosion of the adjacent river bank,” a spokesperson for Cork County Council informed The Avondhu.
Former councillor, John Murphy, who had previously spoken to TheAvondhu about the bad condition that Barnane was in, including frequent flooding, welcomed the works.
“Now that work is being done, once again we will be able to go up Barnane for our walk,” Mr Murphy said.
Mr Murphy also noted the coincidence of the commencement of the long awaited works at Barnane, beginning the day before local man Tommy Baker was buried, who according to John ‘idolised the walk’.