OPW funding is provided for coastal erosion measures

THE Office of Public Works (OPW) is to provide €456,000 to fund interim emergency coastal erosion measures in Portrane, which are due to commence this week.

Minister for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, announced the funding last week during a visit to the affected area in ‘The Burrow’.  

The funding will go towards the installation of 380 ‘Seabee’ reinforced concrete units along the beach above the mean high water level.

The ‘SeaBees’ are designed to reduce the force of waves impacting the coastline during stormy conditions.

Three lines of ‘Seabee’ units will be placed along a 270-metre stretch, about 15 metres from the face of the sand dunes. 

The five-tonne reinforced concrete blocks, which are approximately 1.4 metres high and 1.7 metres wide, will be filled with stone to prevent movement and for public safety reasons. 

Funding for the temporary interim emergency measures has been approved under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

Extensive engagement regarding the emergency measures was held between Fingal County Council, the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS).

During his visit Minister Moran met members of the Fingal Coastal Liaison Group, council officials and elected representatives. 

“I have to give great credit to Fingal County Council and the team they have put together, along with my own staff at the OPW and all the elected representatives who have all worked collaboratively to make this happen,” he said.  

“Fingal County Council and my own Department have put the shoulder to the wheel here. This is a short-term solution for the long-term gain.”

The council’s Director of Planning and Strategic Infrastructure AnnMarie Farrelly said: “Fingal County Council has been working very closely with the OPW, the Minister and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to come up with a solution that will prevent erosion. 

“We are confident that these measures will have an impact and protect properties over the winter period.

“I would like to thank all the officials from the Minister’s department who pulled out all the stops to get this solution agreed on time. 

“We needed to get the ‘Seabees’ installed so they could do their job over the winter.”

Ms Farrelly thanked the Fingal Coastal Liaison Group for their support in moving the project forward. She also welcomed the funding announcement. 

“Everything has come together very well thanks to the collaboration and co-operation by all the parties,” she added.