Safety concerns raised about East Waterford's estuary communities
The sign at Cheekpoint.
In a recent Metropolitan Council meeting, safety concerns were raised about various rural areas in East Waterford.
Sinn Féin Councillor Pat Fitzgerald said he had raised this issue at the previous two meetings.
He said: “There are signs there put up by Waterford (City and) County Council asking boat owners not to tie up at the pier. This is causing a bit of confusion. Can they tie up at the pier or can’t they tie up at the pier? If they can’t, what is the reason? Is it all of the pier or is it part of the pier? What exactly is happening here?
“I was expecting a response during the month.”
Senior engineer Paul Johnston said, “There is an engineer's recommendation and my apologies, I was supposed to circulate that."
Mr Johnston explained that the engineer recommended that boats should not be tied up at the pier, “due to the structural stability, and it's something we need to address.”
Ships and fishing vessels have tied up on the back of the harbour walls in Cheekpoint since the 1800s. In the past, fishermen from Dunmore East sought shelter in Cheekpoint harbour during bad weather.
Councillor Declan Barry said: “Once again I am calling for a safety audit to be done on the hill in Passage. We got the loose rocks secured by Lord Waterford but we’re calling for a safety audit to make sure everything is in order. There was a landslide there 12 months ago and those steps are still out of use 12 months later. So that has to be put back in.”
Roads engineer Alan Kirwan said that a consultant has been "procured" to examine the site.
“Hopefully he’ll be on site with us in a few weeks."
He went on to talk about the recent severe flooding that occurred in Passage East.
“We’ve been promised we’re going to get IPSs (Individual Protection Systems), are the council supplying those? And when do we think the residents are going to have their houses fitted with those?”
Mr Kirwan responded that it is going to be funded by the Office of Public Works and they’re going to be issued to the community.
Cllr Barry also brought up a safety concern about the bridge at Jack Meade’s pub.
“I am calling for at least reflective barriers and warning signs to be put on roadsides as you go over that bridge before an accident takes place."
Mr Johnston replied that the council “can certainly look at some safety signs there.”
