Galway City Council in association with RPS Consulting Engineers has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed Coastal Protection Scheme between Sailín inlet and Silverstrand Beach, Galway.
The purpose of the proposed Coastal Protection Scheme is to identify the coastal protection and management measures necessary to stop the ongoing serious coastal erosion occurring between Sailín and Silverstrand Beach, and to also take into consideration Galway City Council’s longterm aim of providing a coastal walk between the promenades at Salthill and Silverstrand, a specific objective of the Galway City Council Development Plan 2005 – 2011.
The drumlins at Knocknagoneen and Gentian Hill are suffering from serious erosion, primarily from storm waves attacking the base of the cliffs, the most pronounced at Knocknagoneen in close proximity to the Silverstrand Beach. If no action is taken to arrest the erosion process, the result will be the loss of the important Silverstrand beach amenity and a reduction to the recreational and conservational value of Lough Rusheen.
The purpose of the Environmental Impact Statement is to ensure that the proposed Coastal Protection Scheme is properly designed and integrated with the overall development of the coastal study area and that safeguards are put in place to protect the natural environment.
A wide range of coastal protection schemes were considered at preliminary design stage, and a preferred scheme was arrived at. The preferred scheme comprises the provision of a rock-armoured revetment at the base of Knocknagoneen and Gentian Hill drumlins to arrest the coastal erosion process. Walkways will be incorporated into the crest of the armoured revetments where possible, and these would be linked by low-key pathways made from wooden laths and two footbridges over the tidal entrances to Lough Rusheen and Sailín to form a continuous coastal walkway between the promenades at Salthill and Silverstrand.
An Open Day was scheduled for Friday, 8th September 2006 in the Clybaun Hotel, Knocknacarra, where information about the proposed development was displayed and the consultants involved in the project answered questions and discussed the project.
Following the Open Day, Galway City Council intends to publish the EIS and submit it to An Bord Pleanála for their approval.
Subject to approval, Galway City Council will progress the detailed design of the scheme, with construction of the scheme anticipated to commence in Winter 2007/2008.
For further details and information on the Coastal Protection Scheme you should contact:
Sinéad Johnstone,
Executive Engineer,
Environment Section,
Galway City Council,
City Hall,
College Road,
Galway.
Phone: (091) 536454
Fax: (091) 568146
Email: sinead.johnstone@galwaycity.ie