Building work to begin on crumbling concrete beach steps

Building work to begin on crumbling concrete beach steps

31 October 2018

WORK is to start soon to repair a set of concrete steps linking part of Newcastle foreshore with South Promenade.

A recent inspection — ordered in the wake of concern expressed by local politicians and residents — revealed repair work is needed to fix 10 concrete steps, one of which has sunk below the sand and is no longer visible.

While the exact cost of the repairs has not yet been confirmed, local politicians have been told work cannot start until the local authority has obtained a construction marine licence which is expected to cost in the region of £900.

The steps are around one metre wide with rock armour on the townward side and natural rounded boulders on the harbour side.

A structural engineer’s report has revealed that erosion is undermining the steps which have previously been repaired, while the nearby area of stone armouring has also suffered damage.

Planned repairs include infilling the underside of the steps with concrete grout and replacing stone and rock armouring at the side, with the missing bottom step repositioned.

Confirmation work to repair the steps will start soon was confirmed at a recent meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Regulatory and Technical Services Committee.

The news has been welcomed by Mournes councillor Willie Clarke, who also confirmed that the process to obtain the construction marine licence is also underway.

“The Glen River car park access to the foreshore via the steps is the main link to the beach on the southern side of Newcastle,” he explained.

“The condition of the steps has deteriorated over the years due to storm damage and the process of obtaining the marine licence will coincide with the tendering process to carry out the work.”

Cllr Clarke described the current condition of the steps as “extremely hazardous,” particularly for senior citizens and mothers and toddlers trying to access the beach.

He added: “It is vitally important that Newry, Mourne and Down Council does everything possible to make the experience in the resort for locals and visitors as pleasurable as possible when in the promenade and beach area. It is essential that the beach access infrastructure is fit for purpose.”