Deputy Brady appeals to Minister to provide funding for beach repair
VIRGIN MEDIA MAY HELP
IN THE Dáil last Wednesday, Deputy John Brady appealed to Minister of Finance Pascal Donohoe to address the issue of damage to at North Beach immediately.
‘ Twenty seven years ago, a storm barrier was resurrected at North Beach in response to extensive flood damage caused in December 1989. That was the first phase of works completed at North Beach at a cost of £2.2 million.
‘Since then, further damage has been caused, the latest only this week thanks to Hurricane Ophelia,’ said Deputy Brady.
‘Both the base of the slope and the pedestrian walkway are being eroded away due to the strength of the waves and the weakness of the revetment when storms occur.
‘It has been well recognised that a second phase of works must be carried out,’ he said.
Deputy Brady called on the OPW to provide the funding to complete the necessary works ‘ to ensure the health and safety of the people of Arklow’.
‘I am asking Minister Donohoe to recognise the need for these works to be carried out urgently,’ said Deputy Brady, adding that he had already spoken to the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran. VIRGIN Media have said they are interested in contributing towards the repair for the coastal protection works on the North Beach in Arklow.
Last month, a Wicklow County Council application for funding from the OPW for North Beach was rejected and the council were in talks with Virgin Media to see if the company were willing to help. The OPW application was denied as it was outlined to members that the work required is viewed as maintenance work, which are deemed to be council’s responsibilities.
Ex-Hurricane Ophelia has furthered damaged the area and Cllr Miriam Murphy is worried as it is a big health and safety issue in the town.
‘ The area is horrendous and very slippery. Is there any way of closing it off altogether?,’ asked Cllr Murphy at last week’s meeting of Arklow Municipal District.
Cllr Pat Fitzgerald said people would still manage to access the area even if it was closed off so he did not see much point.
Cllr Fitzgerald said: ‘ I rang the County Council to put a warning notice on their Facebook page about walking there during the hurricane. Anyone could fall in there, especially when the weather is rough.’
Cathaoirleach Cllr Tommy Annesley agreed with his fellow members, and said something needs to be done sooner rather than later.
‘ The waves are splashing up so high and coming over on to the walk way. This is making it very dangerous for people who walk there,’ said Cllr Annesley.
The District Engineer Jack Kelly said the only thing they can do is repair it and put more signs up to warn people of the danger.