Plan to expand and protect Salthill Promenade

Plans to protect Salthill Promenade from climate change and rising sea levels are to be drawn up next year.

The plans could also involve increasing its height and creating a modern amenity which would allow it be shared by pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and skaters.

Meanwhile, a foreshore licence is expected to be granted next year for the €12 million extension of the Prom to Silverstrand.

Outlining plans for a ‘vision document’, the city’s Chief Executive Brendan McGrath warned it will be “exceptionally costly” to turn the Prom into a modern flood defence and shared amenity space.

He said an allocation was made in last year’s local authority budget to begin the process of planning the upgrade of the Prom.

“The imminent passing of the Climate Change Bill 2015 will require the Council to adopt a Climate Change Adaptability Strategy during 2016.

“The Climate Change Bill is predicated on rising sea levels as being a scientific fact. The background to the Bill recognises that climate change remediation measures will not prevent significant increases in sea levels over the next 20 to 50 years..

“The existing Prom in Salthill is being eroded beneath by the constant ingress of sea water. The Prom needs to be developed and be expanded to deal with the current conflicting pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, cars, parking etc,” said Mr McGrath.

For more on the proposals for Salthill Prom and its extension to Silverstrand, see this week’s Galway City Tribune