Vital sand dunes remain at risk

The community of Bonmahon are still awaiting the introduction of measures to protect the area's sand dunes.

Sand dunes provide natural coastal protection against storm surge and high waves and help prevent or reduce coastal flooding. Dunes are also ideal for plants and animals, creating habitats that are internationally valued as Special Areas of Conservation.

A native to Bonmahon, Cllr Catherine Burke, has been strongly advocating for the allocation of funding for chestnut fencing to protect, stabilise and regenerate the local dunes.

She renewed the call last week, saying, “the Bonmahon boardwalk steps are full of sand and not actually accessible to people anymore which means people are put onto the dunes and the marram grass is decreasing and at risk. 

 “Its really, really important that we get this right. I think I’ve been raising this since I was elected in June 2024. There's a project in place, but now is the time to expedite it and get that chestnut fencing on the dunes in Bonmahon and get the steps cleared.

“We need an absolute concerted effort between elected members and the executive to get this project over the line because we are at risk of losing the dunes."

Dawn Wallace, Senior Executive Officer with the Council's Environment Department, said the council are awaiting decisions from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

“There is some debate as I understand it within the NPWS about how the fencing goes up and whether it has to be taken down in the winter period" Ms. Wallace said.

“But we have the budget in place to purchase that fencing, it will happen, but its got to happen correctly.” 

(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)