€90,000 in funding for coastal erosion study

Fears expressed over sand dunes and properties with more infrastructure needed to cope with rising sea levels, increasing storms and changes in wind direction

A STUDY of the coastal erosion along Meath’s coast from the Boyne estuary to the mouth of the Delvin River will assess measures needed to protect properties, beaches, dunes and roads along the coastline.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan has announced funding of €90,000 for the study under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Over the years, fears have been expressed for the sand dunes, the road along the seafront at Laytown which carries the main water and sewerage services for the area and properties along the coast.

Cllr Elaine McGinty said the road, properties, and the dunes are all at risk.

"We don't know how much damage there could be or how quickly, but erosion is happening before our eyes," she said.

"Action needs to be taken now."

She said the study was an important first step, but "we urgently need a focused and properly resourced response to protecting our coastlines and rivers.

"Most of the Irish Sea coast is experiencing long-term decline as beaches and dunes are retreating. Coastal defences and other infrastructure need to be invested in to cope with rising sea levels, increasing storms and changes in wind direction.

“I recently attended a meeting on the management and water quality of the Nanny and Delvin rivers and catchments with Meath County Council. While acknowledging that progress is being made, we cannot ignore the fact that water levels are falling in the Boyne due to longer drought periods.

“I strongly believe that we need one authority such as Waterways Ireland to manage the river in its entirety to ensure that all water quality and environmental issues are being addressed.”

Alan Watson, chairman of the Bettystown Beach Management Committee said the funding was welcome, pointing out that additional sea defences were needed at Laytown and that Ben Head near Gormanston was gone.

He said while the opposite was happening at Mornginton where the dunes are growing, an extension to defences at Laytown was needed and natural defences were needed south of the Nanny.

"There have been several surveys over the years, but not much action, but this is very positive," he said.

Mr Watson outlined the need for joined up thinking when it came to sea defences.

"An extension of sea defences in Laytown is needed. They could be doubled up to provide additional parking and could be part of public realm spaces with facilities and shelter for swimmers."

He said it was important to use natural sea defences, particularly in the Gormanston, Mosney area.

He also stressed that is wasn't all "doom and gloom".

"The dunes at Mornington are growing. This has been happening since they built the river wall in the 1970s," he said.

Deputy Fergus O'Dowd welcomed the funding for the "much needed erosion studies along the coastline of East Meath."

“This is positive news for residents and property owners along the coastline, as the study will be assessing individual properties directly adjacent to public roads, our coastal dune systems and our beaches.

“The study will cover the area from the mouth of the Boyne to the Delvin river. This coastline is a massive draw for the area and it must be protected for our future generations.

“Whilst some very welcome coastal defences have been put in place over recent times it is quite clear that there is a need for a much more comprehensive plan, which will safeguard the existing coastlines, properties and promenades well into the future,” he said.