Kilpatrick Beach Repair Works Pass Crucial Council Vote

Repair works to improve access to Kilpatrick Beach in the north of the county took a step closer yesterday.

Yesterday, Wexford County Councillors gave their approval to a report about the coastal works which will take place near Castletown.

Plans are now underway to install 80 metres of rock arm to facilitate the construction of a new entrance to homes which have been cut off due to erosion.

Councillor workers will also replace the existing culvert and re-align the beach access ramp.

Independent councillor Joe Sullivan says this is an important step as this has been an issue going back to 2008:

"The little bridge as you go over the road going down to Kilpatrick Beach will be replaced and a new bridge will be put into it.

"It's very very welcome news today that the funding is in place and we have the planning.

"I'm really really looking forward to working with the local residents and getting the job done."

The coastal erosion has washed away much of the road infrastructure in the area meaning five families are unable to access their own homes by a car.

Councillor Sullivan outlines the issues the residents have had up to this point:

"They had to drive out onto the beach and sometimes when it was high tide the water would be right up to the coastline making driving impossible.

"These people would have to walk in a foot or two of water just to get to their house.

"It's going to make a huge huge difference and it's very welcome in the area."

While the works have been given the green light, a start date wasn't mentioned at yesterday's council meeting.

Wexford County Council says it will have to carry out a detailed archaeological impact assessment before works begin as the proposed development is just 50 metres away from a holy well and burial site.

The Chief Executive's Report on the matter also states the construction will last around eight weeks and the overall construction traffic on the Kilpatrick Road will be minimal.

That report was funded by the Local Democacy Reporting Scheme.