£10m coastal plan approved

The Government has approved the largest-ever programme to combat coastal erosion, with £10 million earmarked for 40 shoreline projects in 11 counties.

An aerial survey of the east coast from Killiney, Co Dublin, to Carnsore, Co Wexford, is to be conducted as part of the programme, and a further £70,000 has been allocated for research.

One of the projects identified for funding involves rock armouring along an eroded stretch of road in Mountcharles, Co Donegal. Last December, Mr Paul Chapman (34) and his son, Sean (9), died when their car was swept into the sea just outside Mountcharles during a storm.

The budget for coastal protection work is double last year's figure and represents a tenfold increase on previous years, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, noted yesterday when he announced details of the projects.

Almost £7 million will be spent on engineering projects, such as cliff protection on the Vico Road in Killiney, Co Dublin; pier remedial works in Bray, Co Wicklow; protection at the north end of Rosslare strand's spit in Co Wexford; strengthening of the promenade wall in Tramore, Co Waterford; and protection work in Quilty, Seafield and Ballyvaughan, Co Clare.

The programme also involves works in Gorteen and Dogs Bay beach near Roundstone, Co Galway; dune-protection works on Achill, Carrowmore beach and Keel beach, Co Mayo; protection works in Strandhill, Mullaghmore, and Enniscrone, Co Sligo; and sea wall rock armouring in Rathmullen, Co Donegal.