Cork City Council has confirmed that construction will commence on the Morrison's Island Public Realm and Flood Defence project.

Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd. has been selected as the main contractor to undertake the project. Supported by the Office of Public Works (OPW), the project will cover Morrison's Quay and Father Mathew Quay from Parnell Bridge to Parliament Bridge, with a small section on Union Quay near Trinity Bridge.

The initial phase of the project will focus on construction at the junction of Morrison's Quay and South Mall, creating an improved plaza area and riverside viewing platform. To accommodate these enhancements, local traffic diversions will be implemented, while maintaining access for pedestrians and cyclists. The entire scheme is expected to be finished in approximately 20 months.

It will deliver:

• High quality upgraded and accessible streetscape with new footpaths, public seating, new plaza space and river viewing platform at Parnell Bridge, and public space at Trinity Bridge, as well as improved public realm at Holy Trinity Church;

• Integrated flood defences which will provide protection against 1-in-100 year tidal flooding events for approximately 400 city centre properties;

• A new 3-metre-wide riverside promenade along the length of Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay;

• Rerouted traffic movement and reduced parking, to facilitate significant improvements for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and cyclists, including the provision of cycle parking;

• Refurbished and strengthened quay walls to ensure long term integrity;

• Public realm improvements at the entrances to Trinity Bridge (at Cork College of Further Education & Training), including new public seating;

• Refurbished and enhanced heritage features, including street lamps and bollards;

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• Enhanced views of, and access to, the River Lee;

• Enhanced planting including trees and pollinator-friendly herbaceous plants.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy said: "The Morrison’s Island Scheme is the city’s opportunity to bring about comprehensive regeneration of this historic part of the city and to re-orientate it towards the river, transforming it into a top-class public space, and highlighting features of architectural and heritage interest."

Minister Kieran O'Donnell T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with responsibility for the OPW stated: "Projects such as Morrison’s Island show the OPW’s and the Government’s commitment to enable our local authorities to undertake very important local flood relief works that are integrated with other developments for the community and so provide a wider social and economic benefit to the community they are protecting. The Morrison’s Island project forms part of an overall allocation of almost €1.3 billion in the National Development Plan for flood relief measures.

"I'm delighted that this project is now moving to construction. The collaborative approach between the Office of Public Works and Cork City Council will provide residents and businesses in Cork City centre with the assurance of protection from the regular flooding that they have had to endure for many years."

Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council said: "This scheme will transform the Morrison’s Island area of the city and provide much needed flood protection to hundreds of residents and businesses. This south-facing riverside area has so much more to offer and Cork City Council, with the support of the OPW, is unlocking that potential, providing for the revitalisation and regeneration of this part of the city centre."

Aaron Mansworth, President of the Cork Business Association (CBA) described the project as "transformative for Morrison’s Island and the entire city". He said: "This scheme will significantly enhance visual amenity and unlock commercial potential, highlighted by the multi-million euro redevelopment of the Old Moore’s Hotel site which is now home to Premier Inn, Cork’s newest hotel offering. Crucially, it will provide essential flood protection long campaigned for by CBA, reassuring property owners and businesses by safeguarding their premises and livelihoods. The project includes a significant public realm upgrade and the refurbishment of historic quay walls, protecting the majority of the city centre against major flood events and greatly benefiting the business community. In these challenging times, the reassurance of flood protection is a highly positive and welcome development."

Conor Healy, Chief Executive of Cork Chamber added: "Climate adaption is crucial to the further prosperity of Cork. We have seen as recently as last October the devastation flooding can bring to our region, inhabitants and businesses. The commencement of the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Protection Scheme is wholeheartedly welcomed by Cork Chamber after many years advocacy. Our city centre businesses and residents deserve the protection from flooding that the scheme will provide. Through the delivery of this scheme, the city will also benefit from the enhancement of the public realm through river front walkways, the introduction of plazas, repairs to historic masonry; all of which are improvements that will help enable a positive evolution of our urban landscape in Cork city."