Vol. 541 No. 4
198 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the final cost of the coastal protection scheme along Bray foreshore; the cost implications of the extension of the scheme beyond the limit for which planning permission was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22833/01]
Bray coastal protection scheme consists of three phases. Phase 1 consisted of the construction of a rock groyne and breakwater and was completed in July 1999 at a cost of £1,839,446.20, including VAT. Phase II consisted of the placing of beach nourishment on Bray beach and was completed in January 2001 at a cost of £2,286,493.32, including VAT. Phase III consists of repair and remedial work to south pier wall at Bray Harbour and is currently in progress at a contract cost of £973,190.93, including VAT.
Planning permission was received for the placing of a total volume of 250,000mf7>3 of sand and gravel on Bray beach. In the event, a total volume of 234,767mf7>3 was placed on the beach. I am advised by the engineering staff who worked on this project that ceasing filling at the exact limit of the planning permission would have left a discontinuity on the beach surface which would have been a public safety hazard. In addition, the realities of beach engineering are such that stopping work of this nature at a particular artificial line is extremely difficult because of the dynamic nature of beach sediment and the manner in which the nourishment material is placed, that is, as a pumped mixture of water and gravel. For safety and technical reasons therefore an engineering decision was made while the contractor was still on site to rework material at the southern limit of the works to merge smoothly into the existing beach material and this work of necessity took place on the area of foreshore south of the bandstand beyond the technical parameter for which planning permission was received. There were no cost implications for the project.
199 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the impact on Bray beach of the recently completed coastal protection scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22834/01]
The primary impacts of this scheme are that it secures the structural stability of Bray promenade which was at risk of collapse due to undermining and that it effectively eliminates wave overtopping of Bray promenade which was a significant danger to the public and gave rise to flooding which caused severe disruption to the town of Bray. In relation to swimming safety, I am advised that beach slopes on the new beach are as anticipated and are similar to the slope on the north beach, Greystones. Following an inspection at low tide this summer no steep drops, which could pose a hazard to swimmers, were observed on the new beach. Wave generated local currents and local scour can arise at the head of the rock groyne and rock breakwater and could prove a hazard to swimmers. Bray Urban Council has been advised of this matter. I am advised that the coast protection scheme is not a contributing factor in any way to the current blue flag status of Bray beach.
200 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the original projections for the longevity of the coastal protection scheme at Bray seafront; the projections since the completion of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22835/01]
The coastal protection scheme at Bray seafront has only been in place for eight months and it is too early to draw conclusions about its performance. Beach nourishment schemes by their nature require regular maintenance works. My Department's engineering division advises, that in the case of Bray, because of the relatively contained nature of the replenishment scheme, it is expected that routine maintenance will be restricted to minor redistribution or recycling of material. What may appear to be erosion is merely the adjustment of the new beach to prevailing conditions.
A natural beach will have been reworked over time by wave action leading to a stable structure with finer material at the water's edge grading up to coarser material at the upper beach. A nourished beach has a range of material at all positions on the beach and reworking of this material, particularly by storms, will be the dominant behaviour mechanism and, in time, will yield an equilibrium beach profile. This process will take a number of years and in the case of Bray beach will move the beach crest back towards the promenade. My Department is putting a regime in place to monitor the response of Bray beach to storms. About one year of data will be required to make definitive statements in relation to actual performance.
