D’Arcy welcomes coastal defence funding and coastal erosion risk management study for Louth

Fine Gael Senator for Louth, Jim D’Arcy, has welcomed the OPW award for coastal flooding defence fund and an erosion risk management study for Louth.

“It isn’t that long ago that Whitestown on the Cooley Peninsula along with Blackrock and other locations were badly affected by high tides. In the case of Whitestown, part of the road was swept away, and in the case of Blackrock the main street was impassable, and businesses were flooded. Louth County Council and their staff did excellent work with the limited funding they had at their disposal. These are just two examples of areas affected by the winter of 2013.

“I have asked Minister for OPW, Simon Harris to provide funding for our coastal defences in Louth and I am delighted to report that funding has been granted.”

The Senator outlined where the money is going to be spent.

“In the case of Seabank, Castlebellingham, €13,500 has been awarded to repair the sea defence. In Annagassan, nearly €11,000 will be spent on the construction of a rock armour revetment. Both Bellurgan and Blackrock are also to receive funding to place rock armour along the embankment. A further €81,000 will be spent carrying out a coastal erosion risk management study in Dundalk Bay, namely Whitestown in Greenore, Blackrock and Dillonstown. When the results of this report are bought to me, I will continue to champion the need for major flood prevention defences to be erected in these locations.

“These areas are of huge importance for the people who live in these coastal communities, and for our tourism sector. It is of paramount importance that we protect these areas so that the full benefit of our coastal shoreline can be enjoyed for the years to come.”