Coastal erosion posing ‘serious risks’ to Meath’s beach users

Calls have been made for a climate action risk committee for beaches in Meath to combat escalating threats posed by flooding and coastal erosion.

The issue was raised at a recent Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District meeting.

Fine Gael Cllr Sharon Tolan said she was “disappointed” that a coastal erosion and protection study carried out by consultants on behalf of Meath Co Council that was expected to be completed this summer would now be delayed until the end of the year. Tolan had requested an update on the study ahead of the council meeting.

Senior Executive Engineer, David Keyes, informed elected members that although all of the data has been gathered and surveys carried out, RPS, the company contracted for this project was now in the process of completing coastal erosion risk mapping. He said once that was completed the company would attend an MD meeting to discuss options.

The council engineer said the main emphasis was to look at nature based solutions to address climate change issues in the future. He explained that a formal study was required by the OPW to define the coastal process, identify risks and recommend measures to be taken to protect the coast line lending to the foundation for any future projects and funding routes.

Cllr Tolan said the report was “of huge importance to the people of East Meath” and urgent action needed to be taken to address “dangerous” issues on the beach. “Literally the gabions in Laytown are now a mangled mess of wire and are seriously dangerous for kids on the beach and for swimmers at high tide,” said Tolan. “I don't know how a child hasn't had an eye taken out,” she added.

“They are serious risks right now. One of our public lighting columns is actually tilting because of the bank sliding down to the beach opposite Aldi and I can't understand how we are going to wait until a report comes in at the end of the year to suggest nature based solutions before we can actually take action.

“If RPS has completed their surveys and analysis, they have got to have been as shocked and horrified at the condition of those gabions as the rest of us and suggested that something urgent needed to be done.”

Senior Executive Engineer, David Keyes said that gabions were part of ongoing maintenance that had to be handled in real time. He also stated that any project would not be restricted to nature based solutions and that all possible remedial options would be looked at.

Labour Councillor Elaine McGinty asked for the establishment of a climate action risk committee. Speaking after the meeting she said: “Recent events have highlighted the pressing need for proactive measures to address the challenges of climate change in this area. The increasing frequency of flooding incidents and the relentless erosion of the coastline demands immediate attention and coordinated action.

Cllr McGinty emphasised the importance of bringing together key stakeholders, including Meath County Council, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Irish Water and residents, to collaboratively explore urgent solutions. She stressed that the risks posed by climate change are real and imminent, with homes and livelihoods at stake.

“We cannot afford to delay action any longer,” stated Cllr McGinty. “The establishment of a Climate Action Risk Committee is essential to facilitate meaningful dialogue and drive effective strategies to safeguard our community against the impacts of climate change.”

Cllr McGinty called on residents to join the call for urgent action.