The River Bride in Blackpool is important for both heritage and biodiversity.
Formally a source of power and waste drainage for industry, the celtic tiger boom years saw a glut of development along its banks, from the Northpoint Business Park down to Blackpool Village.
A 1996 report by Llewelyn-Davies for Cork Corporation proposed the area now occupied by the Blackpool Retail Park (formerly marshy wetland known as the Polefield North) as ‘a restricted area of ecological value.’
The original river course was significantly altered to accomodate development. A car park now sits on top of the proposed ‘area of ecological value’.
Flooding has also occurred downstream in Blackpool Village on at least three occasions since the 2003 realignment. A proposed OPW flood scheme will see the 350m section of the river in Blackpool Village culverted.
It is clear that the River Bride has not been adequately protected from the negative impacts caused by development in the past. It is imperative that measures are put in place to protect it in the future.
The River Bride has not been given due attention in the 2022-2028 Cork City Draft Development Plan - it should be recognised as a non-designated area of natural heritage importance, worthy of protection from development that may impact negatively on its biodiverse nature.
Non-Designated Areas of Natural Heritage
Importance - Objective 6.25
Cork City Council will seek to map the City’s ecological networks and corridors of local biodiversity value outside of designated areas, and to work with local stakeholders in supporting the effective management of features which are important for wild flora and fauna and habitats.
Rivers, Waterways and Wetlands - Objective 6.6
a. To protect and maintain the integrity, and maximise the potential, of the natural heritage and biodiversity value of rivers, associated watercourses and wetlands in Cork City.
As a biodiverse nature corridor the River Bride is a valuable asset to the the people of Blackpool Village, offering them the chance to experience nature in an urban area with very little green space.
It should be noted that the Blackpool Flood Relief Scheme in its current form runs contrary to the aims set out in chapter 11 of the Draft Cork City Development Plan under Development Proposals in or Adjoining Watercourse Corridors (pg 506 11.217), specific reference is made to NOT landfilling, diverting, culverting and realignment of river and stream corridors.