River Bride (Blackpool) Drainage Scheme – Public Consultation Notice 2025

and

Regulation 42(13) of the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No.477 of 2011) as amended

River Bride (Blackpool) Drainage Scheme (Scheme Reference: DPE63-18-2018)

Pursuant to Section 7B(3)(b) of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 as amended, the Commissioners of Public Works submitted the River Bride (Blackpool) Drainage Scheme to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for confirmation in August 2018. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report and AA screening report and Natura Impact Statement has been prepared by the Commissioners for Public Works in respect of the proposed Drainage Scheme.

The Minister saw fit to request supplementary information under Section 7B(4) of the Arterial Drainage Act (as amended). Supplementary information was received from the OPW on the 2nd of November 2020, the 13th of October 2022, the 17th of April 2025 and on the 25th of August 2025 which contains significant additional information in relation to the effects on the environment of the scheme. A public consultation is being held under Section 7C(3) of the Arterial Drainage Act in respect of this significant additional information.

A screening for Appropriate Assessment has been carried out under Regulation 42 of the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011, as amended by S.I. No. 293 of 2021) and the Minister has determined that an Appropriate Assessment of the scheme is required and accordingly a public consultation is also being carried out in accordance with Regulation 42(13) of these Regulations as amended.

Members of the public are invited to make submissions in respect of these consultations by means of the methods mentioned in this notification. These submissions will be considered by the Minster and will inform his decision under Section 7E of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 (as amended).

Submissions can be made in writing at any time during the period Friday 5th September 2025 to Friday 10th October 2025 using one of the following methods:

By e-mail to: blackpoolschemeconsultation@per.gov.ie

By post to: OPW Vote Section (Room -1.04), Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 R583.

All submissions should include your name, contact address, contact details (including telephone number and e-mail address) and details of any organisation being represented.

A copy of the scheme documentation including the application, a map of the scheme, the environmental reports (Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement) relating to the scheme and the additional information submitted to the Department will be available for inspection at Blackpool Library, Redforge Road, Blackpool, Cork, T23 AP11.

Scheme details and documentation are also available on

https://www.floodinfo.ie/frs/en/blackpool/home/

Decision on Scheme:

Following the expiry of the consultation period and taking into account submissions made, it is open to the Minister to:

A) make an order confirming the scheme,

B) refuse to confirm the scheme, or

C) refer the scheme back to the Commissioners for revision in specified aspects.

It is intended to publish, on the Government’s website, the final outcome of the Minister’s decision.

Description of Works:

The proposed River Bride (Blackpool) Certified Drainage Scheme will include construction of direct flood defences and conveyance improvement measures along a stretch of the River Bride and its tributaries in Blackpool, Cork. The measures include the construction of new flood walls and embankments, construction of new culverts on a section of previously open channel, bridge replacement, installation of sediment traps, modifications to existing foul/surface water collection networks in the area, construction of pumping stations and some other minor works. The scheme will also allow for its future maintenance.

Please note that it is intended to publish, on the Government’s website, all submissions received. Submissions received are also subject to the Freedom of Information Acts and may be accessed on foot of third party consultations.