Warning over sea wall in Newcastle

Warning over sea wall in Newcastle

TWO Newcastle politicians have highlighted the importance of ensuring the town’s sea defences are robust enough to withstand rough seas.

Councillors Eamonn O’Neill and Willie Clarke issued the warning last week when it emerged that Down Council officials are currently monitoring a small damaged section of sea wall at South Promenade.

At last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Building Control and Estates Committee it was confirmed that the small hole — located close to a public toilet block — has not deteriorated, although council officials have been carrying out regular inspections.

Councillor O’Neill said when the redevelopment of Newcastle promenade was proposed a number of years ago, he understood that part of the brief was to repair all sea defences, not just along the main promenade, but up as far as the harbour.

Councillor Clarke said the promenade infrastructure from the Annesley Hall right up to the harbour area is in need of an upgrade. He said the sea wall at this part of the resort has taken a pounding over many, many years.

“There is a need for the Roads Service and Rivers Agency to look at this particular area as there are a number of cracks along the sea wall. It would be particularly useful and helpful if these agencies could agree a partnership approach to deal with these problems,” he said. “There is a hole in the wall at the moment and a high tide could have a major impact.”

Looking further ahead, councillor Clarke suggested there is a need for a project focused on the regeneration of the South Promenade area leading to the harbour.

“We could perhaps look to access funding from the Coastal Community Fund if we could put a project together which should include improved access to the beach at this part of Newcastle. If we came up with an agreed project, which would include repairs to the sea wall, we could then seek funding to finance its implementation.

In response to Councillor O’Neill, council official Tom McClean said the original feasibility study for the upgrade of the promenade included the area from the Slieve Donard Hotel to the Glen River.

He suggested if major repair work was required at the sea wall, the council would have to ensure it was responsible for the work before it committed finance to the project.

Council director, Marie Ward, said officials would review the original feasibility study of the promenade and report back on its content. However, she said it was her understanding that the project stopped at the Glen River.