This article is from page 17 of the 2014-02-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
COUNCILLORS at yesterday’s North Clare Area meeting of Clare County Council were given an update on the works carried in response to the recent spate of storm in North Clare.
Lahinch was the area where most work had been completed to date with the lighting, drainage network and many walkways repaired – while a number of areas have been made safe, pending full repair.
The Flaggy Shore roadway has been cleared but remains flooded in one area, a contractor has been engaged to provide an estimate for the causeway on Aughinish Island, while in Ballyvaughan the pier wall has been repaired and tenders are being considered for the repair of the sea wall.
In Liscannor, temporary sea defences were constructed, works have begun on a retaining wall at the grotto, debris has been removed from the pier and drainage channels have been reopened at the Glebe.
In Clahane, the roads have been made passable but works are still requires on retaining walls and bridge abutments. Debris was removed from both Spanish Point and White Strand beaches while a beached whale carcass was removed from Fanore.
Rocks and debris were cleared from Doolin after the January storm, but not since the February storm.
The Mayor of Clare, Joe Arkins (FG), paid tribute to the local staff for the efforts they have put in since these starts began in December.
“The effort and the commitment of councils staff over a series of storms, both admin and outdoor staff. People have been working in conditions and temperatures that you wouldn’t put out a dog. The local people are aware of the Trojan effort that they put in,” he said.
“They have been out day and night since Christmas, and many of the grades don’t receive additional payment for this, and nothing would pay you to go out in that weather anyway.”
Council engineer Stephen Lahiff paid tribute to the work carried out by local volunteers. “I would like to thank all the local groups and voluntary people who came out picking litter and cutting down trees. The one good thing that came out of these storms was the level of community involvement and I’ve been very impressed by the way that the people here came out and fought in such a difficult situation,” he said.