Fingal County Council has presented an update on the Rogerstown Estuary Coastal Flooding and Erosion Risk Management Study to the Fingal Coastal Liaison Group.
The Study, which is being carried out by RPS engineering consultants, examines the options available to address coastal flooding and erosion risk in Rush and Portrane.
Preferred options have emerged in both areas and the draft plan was presented last week at a meeting involving the Council, the Office of Public Works (OPW) and representatives from the Department of Culture, Heritage and The Gaeltacht working in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
RPS have been asked to provide further information on different aspects of their proposals prior to the Risk Management Study and its recommendations being finalised and approved. Public Meetings will be arranged in the coming weeks to update the local community on these plans
Last week’s meeting also agreed to augment the current coastal erosion measures at the Burrow, Portrane. Regular clean-ups of the beach are also being carried out by the Council’s Operations Department.
Once the Options Study is finalised in the coming weeks, work will commence promptly on the preparation of an application to An Bord Pleanála for the necessary permission to facilitate construction of the recommended permanent coastal erosion and flood defences.
The OPW has also confirmed that the Portrane to Rush coastal area has recently been selected as a pilot site for regular monitoring of the coastline in order to inform future plans for addressing coastal erosion and flooding risks.
All agencies involved have requested that no unapproved works are undertaken by groups or individuals at the Burrow Beach. No matter how well-intentioned these actions may be, they have the potential to exacerbate the situation with regards to coastal erosion and flooding.