Cork’s coastal roads 'under increasing pressure' from climate change

Coastal erosion has caused damage to a road and dunes near Youghal, Co Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Many of Cork county’s coastal roads “are under increasing pressure due to their proximity to dynamic shorelines and the intensifying effects of climate change”.

That is according to a senior Cork County Council official who said that the local authority is taking steps to protect the roads as global warming intensifies.

Meanwhile, an extensive report into the impact of coastal erosion in the region is almost complete, which will provide the council with actions to protect vulnerable areas.

A second report, by the same team at University College Cork, will be published in 2027 and will look at the likely impacts of higher sea levels, warmer seas, and increasingly violent storms on the region during the next 30 years.

The county council’s director of roads and transportation Pádraig Barrett made the comments about the vulnerability of coastal roads in a report provided to councillors.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

Mr Barrett said that council engineers are continuing to assess the condition and vulnerability of coastal roads and this work “will inform both strategic infrastructure planning and development management processes”.

Area engineers are getting involved in planning applications to identify locations where proposed developments may pose a risk to road infrastructure, he said.

“Where appropriate, applicants will be required to submit construction management plans to address potential impacts from construction traffic and site access on sensitive coastal routes,” said Mr Barrett.

He added that the council is trying to get as much funding as it can from the Department of Transport for climate adaptation and resilience grants along with bridge rehabilitation grants to maintain and strengthen vulnerable coastal infrastructure, including protecting embankments.

“The council remains committed to a long-term, strategic approach to coastal protection.

“This includes ongoing engagement with national agencies and stakeholders to develop and implement coastal erosion risk management that aligns with both local needs and national policy.”

Mr Barrett delivered his report in response to queries from Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley who wanted to know what action the council is taking to protect vulnerable communities in coastal areas.

Roads 'crumbling away'

Ms Buckley, who lives in Crosshaven, said she is worried about roads in certain coastal areas crumbling away.

A meeting of the council’s Southern Division also heard concerns about the acceleration of coastal erosion in East Cork.

Mayor of County Cork, Independent councillor Mary Linehan Foley said groynes which prevent sand from shifting have rotted away in parts of Youghal.

She said she first highlighted the issue at the town’s Front Strand 12 years ago.

The groynes have worn down to small spikes which have recently injured some beachgoers, she said.

Sand has been blown away from the strand and is ending up on the town’s Mall Beach and Buttimer’s Quay, which never happened before.

Ms Linehan Foley and Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy said the council needs to install more groynes and rock armour in vulnerable coastal areas.

“I’m very concerned and worried about what’s happening,” said Ms Linehan Foley.

Rock armour

Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty said a landowner in the Ballymacoda area was recently refused planning permission to install rock armour to protect his property from sea erosion.

Mr Hegarty said he could not understand this, especially as the land is in a strategic location and if it is breached by the sea there is a possibility that the village of Ballymacoda could get flooded.