The Government is seeking proposals for the construction of a new seawall in an area at risk for flooding.

Prominent businessman Ed Faries, vice-president, sales and service at Tops Ltd on Mill Creek Road in Pembroke, told The Royal Gazette last month that the Mill Creek canal seawall must be replaced rather than repaired if the island is to avoid the danger of widespread flooding in Pembroke.

He said the seawall cracks had expanded, raising the prospect that the wall would collapse.

On the day that the story appeared, the Government revealed plans to replace the seawall.

It said: “Due to the risk of flooding, the existing seawall cannot be removed before the new one is in place. A sheet pile solution is being designed to be installed in front of the existing seawall.”

Now, it has issued an RFP, inviting proposals for “Pembroke Canal Sheetpiling”, the construction of a steel sheet pile seawall at the outfall of Pembroke Canal at Mill Creek.

A pre-bid site meeting is scheduled for January 8. The RFP has a submission deadline of January 30.

The anticipated date for the execution of an agreement with the successful bidder is February 14.

Mr Faries has raised concerns about the prospect of widespread flooding for some time, noting an expansion in the seawall cracks, increasing the prospect of the wall’s collapse.

Having worked near Mill Creek Road for more than two decades, he has watched as the situation has become increasingly serious, fearing he will arrive to work one day through extensive parish flooding.

Several weeks ago he told The Royal Gazette: “If the wall falls, it will flood all the way to TCD.”

He said the seawall has been undermined by saltwater, with the result that the rebar that held it together was rusting away.

He said: “It has a strong chance of simply breaking and falling over.”

Mr Faries said the worst problems occurred during a full moon, when tides were highest.