Locals allege beach damage

A WEXFORD beach has been severely damaged, resulting in quicksand-like conditions, after a track machine carried out work which diverted a local river, locals claim.

Wexford Co Council has confirmed it is investigating health and safety issues associated with the use of the track machine on Clones Strand in Castletown, which is a candidate Natural Heritage Area (NHA), designated under the Wildlife Act.

According to locals, work on the Ahare river, also known as the Inch River, has diverted the watercourse as it crosses the beach, which is popular with those from the nearby area and holiday-makers. The diversion of the river has in turn altered the course of a local stream on the beach, which used to drain into the river.

While efforts have been made to keep the stream and the new river channel open to the sea, tidal sand movements – and the fact that the former river bed is lower than sea level, resulted in a the creation of a large pond – after high tide. When subsequently filled in with sand, the stream became swamp-like, locals claim.

Attempts to contact the organiser of the works yesterday were not successful.

Andy and Breda Kelly who live locally told The Irish Times that young children had found their feet and legs began to sink in the sand. Ms Kelly said it had been a very frightening experience for them.

John Lambe of Wexford County Council was at the beach yesterday. Mr Lambe said the council was primarily investigating health and safety issues and was aware of the sinking problem with wet sands in the area.

He said it was possible for people to sink up to their knees in the wet sands but claimed that this had been an ongoing problem for years.

Asked if the council had granted permission for the machine to work in the heritage area, Mr Lambe said he was “not a legal person” and could not say if such permission was required.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency the beach, as a candidate heritage area, is a protected area designated under the Wildlife Act 2000.

Certain activities restricted within Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protected Areas and Natural Heritage Areas can only be carried out with the permission of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Such actions are deemed notifiable actions and, according to the Department of the Environment, such activities would include the use of a track machine and the rerouting of a stream.