Salthill-Silverstrand coast walk moves forward

City councillors are to be asked to set aside funding from the upcoming local authority budget for consultants to progress the proposed coastal walkway from Salthill to Silverstrand.

Galway City Council has applied for a final foreshore licence to carry out work on the €7 million project – which has met with numerous delays over the past decade.

A spokesperson for the local authority said that when the licence is approved tenders for the works can be advanced.

The approval is required so that technical documentation can be drawn up for tenders for work on the walkway to be progressed.

“It will be necessary to provide funding for such consultancy [work] in the 2015 budget,” a Council spokesperson said.

The project will see the construction of scenic pathways and footbridges spanning the shoreline between the two tourist attractions, while protecting the coast against erosion.

Galway West TD Brian Walsh said: “This is an important project from a number of perspectives. Firstly, a coastal protection scheme is urgently required to ensure that Silverstrand beach and Lough Rusheen are not lost to erosion.

“But the scheme also represents a great opportunity to construct an important amenity and enhance the tourism value of areas west of the city. It’s a chance to maximise the potential of Salthill, Silverstrand, and the scenic area in between.

“Environmental and engineering surveys have been carried out in the coastal area between Sailín and Silverstrand, which includes landmark drumlins at Knocknagoneen and Gentian Hill.

“Erosion has caused significant damage to the geographical features and has left cliff faces at both locations in a dangerous condition. Remedial work will take place to make these areas safe as part of the project,” said Deputy Walsh.

The Council’s application for a foreshore licence will now be assessed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

“This is an important project with enormous positive potential for Galway, its residents, and its many visitors. I will be supporting this scheme every step of the way until its completion,” added the Fine Gael TD.

An Environmental Impact Statement – carried out for the local authority in 2006 – found that without erosion prevention work, Silverstrand beach would be eradicated within 25 to 40 years, while the Knocknagoneen drumlin beside it would be cut off from the mainland.

City councillors are to be asked to set aside funding from the upcoming local authority budget for consultants to progress the proposed coastal walkway from Salthill to Silverstrand.

Galway City Council has applied for a final foreshore licence to carry out work on the €7 million project – which has met with numerous delays over the past decade.

A spokesperson for the local authority said that when the licence is approved tenders for the works can be advanced.

The approval is required so that technical documentation can be drawn up for tenders for work on the walkway to be progressed.

“It will be necessary to provide funding for such consultancy [work] in the 2015 budget,” a Council spokesperson said.

The project will see the construction of scenic pathways and footbridges spanning the shoreline between the two tourist attractions, while protecting the coast against erosion.

Galway West TD Brian Walsh said: “This is an important project from a number of perspectives. Firstly, a coastal protection scheme is urgently required to ensure that Silverstrand beach and Lough Rusheen are not lost to erosion.

“But the scheme also represents a great opportunity to construct an important amenity and enhance the tourism value of areas west of the city. It’s a chance to maximise the potential of Salthill, Silverstrand, and the scenic area in between.

“Environmental and engineering surveys have been carried out in the coastal area between Sailín and Silverstrand, which includes landmark drumlins at Knocknagoneen and Gentian Hill.

“Erosion has caused significant damage to the geographical features and has left cliff faces at both locations in a dangerous condition. Remedial work will take place to make these areas safe as part of the project,” said Deputy Walsh.

The Council’s application for a foreshore licence will now be assessed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

“This is an important project with enormous positive potential for Galway, its residents, and its many visitors. I will be supporting this scheme every step of the way until its completion,” added the Fine Gael TD.

An Environmental Impact Statement – carried out for the local authority in 2006 – found that without erosion prevention work, Silverstrand beach would be eradicated within 25 to 40 years, while the Knocknagoneen drumlin beside it would be cut off from the mainland.