Murrough works on target

COASTAL protection works along the Murrough are almost complete, though councillors have raised concerns over the level of erosion taking place further up the coastline which doesn’t have any protection works.

At Monday’s meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, councillors heard that all the heavy boulders and pre-cast concrete are now complete and that pre-cast concrete steps leading down to the beach have to be installed within the next two weeks. The area will be tidied up and some top soil works will take place, while paths will also be reinstated.

‘We are on target and on budget,’ said District Engineer Paul Byrne.

A large section of the popular coastal walk was washed away by storms in December 2015 and January of this year, resulting in Irish Rail having to carry out emergency works to protect the rail line running parallel to the Murrough.

Cllr Mary Kavanagh thought the initial plans for the coastal works also included a return revetment.

‘I was up there today and I am glad to see so much effort has gone into it,’ she said. ‘But just beyond the spot where the works are taking place the erosion is taking place at an enormous rate.

‘Was there not meant to be a return revetment in the plans, barriers to the sea as it progresses further up?’ Cllr Kavanagh asked.

Mr Byrne said he would look up the original plans and report back to Cllr Kavanagh before the next district meeting.