Raising funds for High Court action
More than 50 businesses on Leeside are stocking 'Love the Lee' merchandise in order to raise funds for its High Court challenge, the Cork Independent can exclusively reveal.
The judicial review of a €6.5m city centre project was granted by the High Court in November.
The Cork Docklands to City Centre Road Network Improvement Scheme was given the green light in September but Save Cork City said it was “with considerable regret” that it has been left with no option but to apply for a judicial review.
The Docklands project includes massive changes to road layouts, as well as improvements to the public realm of the area. Some of the areas in questions include Albert Quay, Victoria Road, Old Blackrock Road, Marina Terrace and Kennedy Quay.
In September, Save Cork City, who are opposed to the flood relief works at Morrison’s Island based on plans to raise the quay walls, felt raising the quay wall along Albert Quay was not highlighted or advertised as much as it should be in this Docklands plan.
It is a multifaceted project which includes, what the council say is improved transportation corridors for public transport, cyclists and walkers as well as introducing new riverside amenities such as a boardwalk and pontoon along a quay front which is currently not open to the public.
This will allow, Cork City Council said, for increased access for future river amenity users, pedestrians and cyclists.
In order to raise funds for the group’s High Court action, Save Cork City is hoping to raise as much money as it can through selling its Love the Lee merchandise.
A spokesperson for Save Cork City, Seán Antóin Ó Muirí, told the Cork Independent: “To relieve the financial burden of taking a high court challenge, Save Cork City have been given significant backing from the local business community. There are now over fifty businesses in Cork selling Love the Lee merchandise to raise funds for the high court challenge.”
Mr Ó Muirí said that numerous independent professionals believe that a tidal barrier at Lough Mahon is a far more sustainable and economical way to protect Cork city’s economy, heritage and riverine habitats.
Richard Jacob, owner of Idaho café in the city centre, told the newspaper: “We are proud to sell Love the Lee badges to fight the campaign against the folly of walls. Last week, as tidal flooding hit Cork again, we watched as the water rose up through the manholes on Oliver Plunkett Street. I am not an engineer, but even a squirrel would know that walls will not stop water from rising from the porous foundations of this ancient city.”