MALLOW, CO.CORK

1. MALLOW, CO.CORK

2. Presented By: David Fleming John Flood Eanna Farrell Ger Finneran Roy Evans Topics discussed Flood relief works Agriculture and land use Businesses Transport Energy use in the town The sustainability of Mallow TownGroup 4

3. Mallow Flood Relief Works Presented By: David Fleming Class: SET 1A Group 4

4. Damage caused by flooding • Each year there are on average 3-4 occurrences of major flooding in Mallow town • This causes serious obstruction to traffic, as well as damage to domestic households and businesses located in these areas • Last year damage caused by flooding, to businesses and households in Mallow, cost over €1.2m to repair

5. Why is flooding so common in Mallow? • Mallow town is located on the banks of one of the largest rivers in Munster, the river Blackwater. Here the river is in its middle stage with a very wide flood plain, approximately 1.5km across. • This river flows for over 40 miles from its source before reaching Mallow and contains approximately 85% of all the flood water from the barony of Duhallow, as well as the water from tributaries as far away as Cecilstown. • Flooding has always been extremely common in this part of the town, dating back to its original pre-Christian settlement

6. Current flood warning systems • When a flood peaks in Dromcummer it is calculated that that peak should reach Mallow approximately five hours later. • When a flood peaks in Duarrigle it is expected that those flood waters will reach Mallow approximately eleven hours later.

7. Outline of the Flood Relief Works • Mallow flood relief works, funded under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013, is divided into three phases – the Mallow North, Mallow South and Mallow West drainage schemes. • These works will provide protection for the town against a “1 in 100” year flood. • This scheme will incorporate demountable flood barriers, defence walls and embankments, and the installation of a flood warning system implemented in parallel with the schemes. • When completed, the scheme will reduce economic damage to residential and commercial properties vulnerable to flooding, and reduce disruption to traffic. • The total cost of the work to be carried out is estimated to be in the region of €35 million, and it is expected that the 3 phases should be completed within 5 years of commencement date.

8. Mallow North Scheme • Work has already commenced on this part of this scheme as of April 2008. This phase will provide protection from the Spa Glen, a tributary of the Blackwater prone to flooding. • The main elements of work in this phase include: earth embankments, permanent stone clad flood defence walls, regrading of the floodplain upstream and downstream of Mallow, as well as precast concrete culverts to divert Spa Glen during serious flooding. • Ascon Limited, civil engineering company, were subbed in to carry out the main works to this site. It is estimated that this phase will be completed by next summer, at an estimated cost of €11m.

9. Mallow West Scheme • This is the smallest of the three flood relief phases for Mallow. On completion, it will provide protection for properties to the south of the Backwater and to the west of Blackrock Bridge. • The main elements of this phase include: Earth Embankments, stone clad defence walls at a number of locations, Pumping stations and associated Drainage works, and concrete control structures and valves on mill race • Work on this scheme will begin almost immediately after completion of phase one, and it should cost in the region of €9m.

10. Mallow South Scheme • The Mallow South scheme will provide protection to properties to the south of the Blackwater in the vicinity of Mallow bridge. • The main function of this phase is to provide protection to properties on Ballydaheen, Mill street and Linehans Lane. • This will include strengthening works to the existing bridge, raising of Mill street to the east of Mallow, New precast concrete culverts under Mill street to divert Bearford stream in a flood event, stone clad defence walls along the River itself. • This is the most costly of the three phases, and is estimated will cost around €18m to complete.

11. Conclusion • On completion of this major project, it will have a massive positive contribution to Mallow town. • It will have the effect of reducing physical damage to buildings in these areas where flooding is most likely. • Reduce stress and anxiety experienced by residents during heavy or prolonged rainfall • The works will reduce the economic loss to traders in vulnerable areas during flood events and hopefully encourage new businesses to locate in this area • Reduce disruption to traffic.

12. Sustainable business for mallow, co. cork

13. What is the current situation in mallow? • Examined 4 businesses: • Sheehan’s butchers • Lucey’s garden centre • Coops clothes shop • LIDL • More work needed in: • Sourcing goods locally • Attracting more business • €208 million spent in Mallow each year

15. Steps to sustainability • Planning – Incorporate passive and active solar energies tax breaks, stamp duty • Shuttle bus for employees – free up main street to provide parking for shopping • NCEB & Mallow HUB – links for businesses to local products – initially cheaper, contract based • Green businesses will want to set up here for the image generated

16. Future of agriculture in Mallow. Agriculture in mallow presented by John Flood R00039634

17. The Agri past. • The agricultural industry in Mallow is declining. • The loss of the sugar beet factory and now Dairygold has led to massive unemployment in Mallow. • Farmers are disheartened. • They need a new sustainable source of farming.

18. Land use in Mallow • Land use around the town is mostly residential. Urban sprawl is a major problem. • Agricultural activity in the dairy and tillage sector must get more widespread if the town wishes to become sustainable. • Agriculture needs to use the available land intelligently to sustain the town and generate employment and income.

19. Possible futures • Situated in the golden vale. • Renewable energy crops such as miscanthus and elephant grass. • The possibility of operating allotments for city dwellers. • Re-opening of the sugar beet factory for a chance at developing ethanol and other renewables.

20. Farmers markets. • Local farmers markets in operation. • Takes place every Friday. • Sells home produced goods of excellent quality. • Promoted in the town and highly praised. • Possibility for this to develop into a major industry.

21. Farming allotments • People from the locality rent a plot of ground to sow vegetables for the year. • They can sow what they want and all activity is monitored by a head of the allotment. • The up-keep of the site is up to the growers and a small rent fee is charged. • Great way of developing sustainable towns.

22. Promotion of Agriculture. • The idea of developing a biomass digester for the production of electricity. • This would generate income for co-ops and farmers alike. • This would also deal with the problems due to emissions and also the problem of electricity generation. • The production of methane could sustain the whole town easily.

23. Conclusions • The sugar beet factory and Dairygold premises must be utilised for the production of energy from renewable crops. • Wheat and fast growing crops are the future. • The farmers market must be made larger. • Farming allotments must be promoted in a major way.

24. Mallow Sustainable Transport Solutions Mallow Sustainable Transport Solutions Prepared by; Ger Finneran . R00045369

25. Brief Introduction to this area. • Transport; • Located on intersection of N20 and N72 • 2- bus services operating hourly • There is a train station located in mallow town • Town bus service stopped due to lack of interest • One way traffic system, on main street with parking both sides.

26. Improved public transport -Upgrading of bus stop on park road. -Greater parking capacity in train station.

27. Improve traffic management. Upgrade junction of N72 and N20 Use smart traffic lighting systems. Reintroduce local bus service Move the car parking from main street. Increase amount of bike lanes. Give more pedestrian priority on main street.

28. Change the way people think about transport. More promotion of sustainable transportation by town council. Use initiatives such as; -Car free day -School bus day -Car pooling -Free train for 1 day

29. Energy in Mallow.

30. Energy in Mallow. • Connected to the Gas Pipeline • Underground aquifer already being exploited. • Sustainable building developments. • Support from town council and county council.

31. Energy Conservation - Insulation There have been many improvements. Must try to stay ahead of the times. Improve town council policy. Finglas plan.

32. Solar • There are opportunities to enhance the amount of solar energy used in mallow. • Churchfield. • Growing property market in the area. • Great interest in solar for newly built homes.

34. Hydro power • The river blackwater. • New runoff system being built for excess water in the river. • Micro Hydro System • As little as two gallons per minute. • A drop as low as two feet. • No reservoir required, ‘run-of-river’ • $3,000 - $20,000. • Banki turbine.

35. Banki turbine

36. Geothermal • Greatest potential for improving renewable energy in Mallow. • An aquifer runs under the town. • Warm springs of between 17ºC and 22ºC. • GSHP’s from €6,000-€12,000. • Systems would have a high COP. • Horizontal and Vertical systems.