Councillors highlight importance of coastal maintenance works

MAINTAINING levels of funding for coastal works is important despite financial constraints, it was claimed at the January meeting of Kilrush Area councillors.
Kilkee councillor Pat Keane put forward a motion asking for an outline of what coastal works are required to protect roads in the Kilrush Electoral Area.
In a written response, engineer Cyril Feeney stated, “Clare County Council make an annual submission to the Office of Public Works under the Coastal Minor Flood and Erosion Mitigation Programme. The OPW provide funding to address localised coastal-related flood and erosion risk problems.
“The works to be funded would be carried out under local authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works will be the responsibility of the county council.
“In recent years, works have been carried out in Kilbaha, Ross Bay, Effernan, Ballycorick and a project is currently at the design stage for Cloghauninchy, Quilty. The schemes vary in their designs and are dependant on the coastal environment that they are situated in. We currently have six schemes which require funding and applications are with the OPW.”
Councillor Keane said where erosion is happening, efforts at maintenance should be made or much of the good work of recent years will be undone.
Councillor Christy Curtin asked when it might be expected that the plan would go to Government. In response, Mr Feeney said the council is currently waiting on an agreement with landowners and until that is reached, it would be foolish to spend money on design. However, he said he is hopeful there would be progress within a fortnight and that in the next couple of months work could take place.
Fine Gael Councillor Gabriel Keane said there is a breach of a wall at Rinevilla Irish College in Carrigaholt and suggested it should be repaired in the year it celebrates its centenary.