Brady has Reservations on Bray Flood Protection Plan

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Brady has Reservations on Bray Flood Protection Plan

Thursday, August 2 2007

While welcoming the continuing work to enact a flood protection plan for Bray, Cllr. John Brady of Sinn Féin has expressed reservations about the plan as presented at a public meeting this week.

"My first concern is that the work is planned in two phases. I would like to see it all tackled in one phase. After the last major flood -- Hurricane Charlie in 1986 -- work was also proposed in two phases. Phase 1 was completed but the money never materialised for Phase 2. I don't want to see the same thing happen again," Brady said.

"The Dargle experiences catastrophic flood around once every generation. With climatologists predicting heavier downpours for this part of the world, it seems likely that the river will be even more susceptible to flooding," he added.

"My second concern is that at the public meeting, the public was prevented from asking any questions. That is arrogant. It is also unhelpful since it is hard for people to get clarification on technical points. Nor was there any presentation of the plans to the town council. Both avenues for the public to inform themselves were deliberately shut down by the consultants," Brady said.

"Finally, I am calling on the new Minister for the Environment, John Gormless of the 'Greens' to secure funding for this work as soon as he has stopped wrecking priceless national treasures in Tara. What we have now is a very nice document and a very fancy proposal but no actual money," Brady said.

At this weeks public presentation, the consultants claimed that Phase 1 of the work, which would take place between the bridge over the N11 down to the Harbour would protect the river for "100 year floods" or possibly up to "200 year floods." That will involve excavation, widening the river and building up embankments.

Phase 2 would see a reservoir get built at Tinahinch. That would protect against "300 year floods."

The public has until Sept. 10 to comment on the plan. It can be inspected in the library or at the town council offices. It is free of charge to make a submission.

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