Campaign group stands up for Bride otters

By Ellen O'Regan

Save Our Bride Otters (SOBO), a newly established campaign group, are advocating for a solution to flooding in the Blackpool area which will not threaten biodiversity in the River Bride.

The community group formed to campaign for a flood defence plan that will better protect the last remaining natural environment in Blackpool, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including eight of Cork’s eleven known otters.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) plans to cover a 350 metre stretch of the River Bride with a concrete culvert, along with other concrete channelling and screening further upstream, as part of a flood relief scheme for Blackpool.

The Blackpool area has been hard hit by incidents of flooding over the years, with many local businesses and homeowners unable to obtain flood insurance. The River Bride (Blackpool) Certified Drainage Scheme has been in development since 2015, and was given formal approval by Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath in March.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) conducted by the OPW reported that it will have a ‘permanent significant negative impact’ on the natural environment of this part of the river.

SOBO are advocating for a flood solution which is less environmentally damaging. “This is something that people feel strongly about. The otters are a protected species, and the OPW plans will destroy one of the most important green and blue spaces in the city,” said John MacCarthy, an engineer with over 17 years’ experience in drainage and flooding who is working with SOBO.

SOBO contend that a better solution to prevent flooding in the Blackpool area could be achieved at a lower cost, and without threatening biodiversity, by slowing down water flow with nature-based temporary storage further upstream. A similar method has already been successfully implemented in Clonakilty.

“Not only would that not destroy or have any impact on otter habitats in Cork city, it would also potentially increase biodiversity in the Bride catchment by providing a green and blue space further upstream,” said Mr MacCarthy.

He also highlighted that much of the flooding in Blackpool in the past has been attributed to the failure of existing culverts.

“The simple fact is that you do not know if there’s a problem, or a blockage, or a reduced capacity, in a culvert until it manifests in a flood. If our problem is culverts, how can the solution be culverts?” he added.

Green and blue urban spaces are natural land and water based areas in the city which provide valuable ecosystems for wildlife.

SOBO are currently raising money to go to the High Court to seek a judicial review of the decision to go ahead with the proposed scheme.