River users ‘impressed’ with proposed plans for Fermoy Weir
Plans for Fermoy weir, shared at a meeting that took place amongst stakeholders, received a largely positive reaction from those in attendance.
The operator of the Fermoy Wheely Boat, Chris ‘Kipper’ O’Donovan, said that he was ‘highly impressed’ with the proposed works for their weir, which, once complete, will once again allow for Fermoy’s wheelchair accessible boat to continue operations. The facility is 15 years in operation this year.
“We’re 15 years on the river this year and the breach in the weir has caused a loss in finance as well as accessibility problems for people in wheelchairs accessing the river. I was going to throw the towel in, I was only going to keep going until the end of this year, but since I’ve seen the plans, it looks brilliant. The weir will be restored to even better than what it was.
I’m going to keep going,” Mr O’Donovan affirmed.
Paul Kavanagh of Fermoy Rowing Club said he believes that the townspeople and river users will be ‘very happy’ with the proposed plans.
“I think the townspeople will be very happy because it is a robust restoration of the existing weir and fish ladder. From the bridge, it will look fantastic and most importantly, the water levels upstream, east of the bridge will be restored and the river will be brought back to what it used to be. It will be a fabulous feature in the town,” Mr Kavanagh said.
Amongst the stakeholders in attendance at the recent meeting were members of Fermoy Coarse Anglers, who said that the proposed plans, which are due for submission to An Bord Pleanála, looked ‘great’.
“They look great. Everything looks satisfactory to us and the water levels upriver will be maintained. They’re more or less what we were expecting. We just have to wait now and see what is lodged with the planning authority,” Tommy Lawton of Fermoy Coarse Anglers Association said.
SOME WAY TO GO
It is understood that proposed plans for the Fermoy Weir remediation and fish bypass are to go before An Bord Pleanála by the end of March. However, it is expected that the benefits of the restored weir may not be seen until 2025 at the earliest, following two summers of work.
It is understood that works to the west of the bridge are proposed to be completed first, hoped to be near completion by 2025, at which point works to the lower end of the weir will get underway.
While plans may be submitted to the planning authority by the end of the month, it will take approximately six months for a decision. The proposed works would then, if still on schedule, go to tender at the latter end of 2022. Funding for the proposed works is yet to be confirmed.
LOW WATER A PROBLEM
Speaking with The Avondhu, Chris O’Donovan of Fermoy’s Wheely Boat spoke about the potential the restored weir and fish bypass could have for the town.
“I can assure the public it will be fantastic. The river and the weir will be an attraction again as it always was,” he said.
Since the breach in the weir in 2017, Mr O’Donovan stated that the Wheely Boat, in particular, has encountered several operational issues.
“It has been a constant problem since 2017. I would take bookings hoping that the river level would be okay. It would be fine when I take the booking and then I go down the next morning and the water is gone. It was devastating.
“The water levels would be so low because of the breach that I can’t get the boat in the dock at the slipway that was purposely built for wheelchair users. The weir should not have gotten as bad as it is,” Mr O’Donovan said.
‘AN EXCELLENT JOB’
Those in attendance at the meeting on Thursday,
March 3, were also reassured that there would not be an increased possibility of flooding following the weir’s restoration, as it is understood that the fish bypass would take any excess water.
Flora, fauna and habitats were also reportedly given great consideration within the plans, with special regard given to the Blackwater Special Area of Conservation status.
According to Paul Kavanagh of Fermoy Rowing
Club, he believes that the proposed plans will go to An Bord Pleanála with the endorsement of the ‘Save The Weir’ group. “TJ O’Connor and Associates (the consultants) did a great job in keeping everyone happy, the townspeople, the fishermen, the rowing club and the Wheely Boat. They’ve done an excellent job,” he added.