‘It is a problem right now’ – Warning over coastal erosion as Laytown infrastructure ‘at serious risk’
A Meath councillor has said that public infrastructure along the Laytown–Bettystown shoreline is now at “serious risk” due to ongoing coastal erosion and is calling for urgent action.
Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan raised the issue after inspecting the coastline in Laytown, where she said erosion is now visibly encroaching on public lighting and the footpath.
In one location, she pointed to a public lighting pole leaning towards the sea and sitting only a short distance from the eroding edge, which she described as “clear evidence that the coastline is retreating far faster than previously anticipated”.
“Our coastline is disappearing before our eyes,” she said.
"Every week we delay puts public safety, public infrastructure and, in many instances, people’s homes at greater risk. We cannot continue to treat this as a problem for the future — it is a problem right now.”
Cllr Tolan said “continued inaction” could lead to the loss of public infrastructure, increased safety risks for pedestrians and beach users, and significant future repair costs for the local authority.
She also raised concerns about the loss of public amenity space and the impact on gardens and properties close to the shoreline.
The councillor said more frequent and intense storms were accelerating the problem and leaving structures such as lighting poles and pathways exposed.
“The evidence is right in front of us: the land is slipping away. We need coastal protection works fast-tracked — not talked about, but delivered,” she said.
Cllr Tolan is urging Meath County Council and relevant national bodies to accelerate assessments, approvals and funding to allow coastal defence measures to proceed without further delay.
“Our community deserves a safe, secure and protected coastline. We owe it to residents, local businesses and future generations to act now, before the damage becomes irreversible,” she added.