The tidal barrier protects more of Cork for less
The Tidal Barrier protects Docklands, Tivoli, Blackrock and Douglas and supports free movement for navigation. It is the preferred choice of environmentalists and those who wish to protect tourism and the local economy.
The tidal barrier represents good governance, saves money, creates business opportunity and doesn’t create traffic. It gives flood protection in less than half the time and facilitates better consideration of transport and infrastructure. It allows us to move forward as a city with confidence with full regard for the wellbeing of citizens. The Tidal Barrier is part of a combined system working with the Dam to support safer and more future resilient flood protection for the city.
Building a tidal barrier provides certainty for all future development in the city from the day the decision is made.
The Walls proposal places quaysides below designed flood levels for the first time in history. With 46 pump chambers and almost a kilometre of demountable barriers, the Walls are susceptible to catastrophic failure, a huge maintenance burden for Cork and a loss of distinctive character for the city.
Walling the River Lee will not contain flooding and will destroy Cork's unique offering as a place to live.
The Walls Scheme would eliminate the specific nature of Cork City, applying vast quantities of concrete and tarmac to a world class heritage environment.
The EU Floods Directive 2007
(Best Practice in Flood Relief)
“With a view to giving rivers more space, they should consider where possible the maintenance and/or restoration of floodplains, as well as measures to prevent and reduce damage to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity.
an assessment of the potential adverse consequences of future floods for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity.......including floodplains as natural retention areas, the effectiveness of existing man-made flood defence infrastructures (our Dams), the position of populated areas (our City), areas of economic activity (our City) and long-term developments including impacts of climate change on the occurrence of floods.”
What the Dutch say:
"The Save Cork City Solution document 'Potential Cork' provides a detailed framework for a viable and sustainable solution to flood relief in Cork" Erik Kraaij Dutch River and Sea Protection Programme
The Tidal Barrier protects more of Cork for less. It has been priced by international experts at Delft University at €190m.
What the World Bank Says:
“A city’s conserved historic core can differentiate that city from competing locations, branding it nationally and internationally, thus helping the city to attract investment and talented people.”
“Heritage anchors people to their roots, builds self-esteem and restores dignity”
From the Economics of Uniqueness by the World Bank.