Arklow beach being carted away by the lorryload

December 1984

WHILE a preliminary examination of the coastal erosion problem in Arklow has been carried out, lorry loads of sand and stones are being carted away from the beach every day.

And public representatives who are fighting to save their coastline are seeing red over the fact that people are allowed to do this.

Ironically, the buildings which stand most danger from erosion are the few remaining factories in Arklow which are still open.

The matter came before Monday’s meeting of the County Council when a letter from the Board of Works indicated that a preliminary examination had been carried out and it was now up to the Commissioners of Public Works to determine if a coastal protection scheme in the area would be feasible.

However, on a less cheerful note, the Board pointed out the clause in the national plan which has shelved coastal protection schemes for the moment.

Councillors Denis Kinsella, John Sweeney and Margo Weadick were not satisfied with the possiblity that the town might have to wait up to 20 years before anything could be done.

They deplored the fact that five lorries, four diggers and bulldozers were removing materials from the beach every day and were allowed to continue.

They also pointed out that Arklow Urban Council were spending a lot of money on trying to protect the Arklow coast, work that the Board should be doing.

Cllr John McManus felt that while the job would not be done for quite some time, all the plans should be prepared and the scheme ready to go ahead when the Government reversed its policy.