Galway Bay fm newsroom – It could be months before there’s any movement on much-needed costal protection works at Silverstrand.
Despite warnings that inaction may lead to the potential loss of the beach, the long-awaited works have been put on hold by the Department of the Environment.
Coastal protection works between Sailín and Silverstand have been on the cards since 2006 – but ten years later, Galway City Council is still encountering obstacles in bringing the scheme to fruition.
City officials had been planning to secure a foreshore license in recent weeks in order to begin carrying out the necessary rock armoring and walkway elements.
However, the Department of the Environment has directed that a Natura assessment is required before a license can be granted.
The City Council is currently evaluating tenders for the carrying out of the assessment – but it’s expected the overall process will take a number of months to complete.
Once a foreshore license has been secured, the City Council will move to tackling the next obstacle in front of the works – obtaining the 12 million euro in funding needed to complete the scheme.