Calls for urgent survey and restoration as voids open between Sea Wall and public road at Gibraltar

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Calls for restoration works to be carried out to the sea wall on Second Sea Road and Gibraltar areas have been made with residents expressing concerns at the manner in which the wall has deteriorated.

Cllr Declan Bree called for the matter to be resolved at recent monthly meeting of Sligo Borough Municpal District heard

He said: “Noting that the condition of the sea wall has deteriorated and continues to deteriorate in the period since construction commenced on the new housing development on the Gibraltar Road, this meeting requests that the wall be surveyed and the necessary restoration works be carried out to stabilise and protect it.”

The structure appears to be deteriorating in the period since construction commenced on the new housing development at Gibraltar

Cllr Bree went on, “A number of local residents from the Second Sea Road and Gibraltar area have drawn my attention to the condition of the sea wall at Gibraltar Point. The structure appears to be deteriorating in the period since construction commenced on the new housing development at Gibraltar.”

Cllr Declan Bree has called for the wall to be surveyed and necessary repair works carried out.

A reply to the motion furnished prior to the meeting from Director of Services, Jim Molloy stated, “The Roads Department will inspect and survey the Sea Wall at this location. It should be noted that major works were carried out at this location in 2020 and further capital maintenance was completed in 2024.”

Referring to the reply from Mr Molloy, Cllr Bree remarked, “I note from the report received from the Director of Services that maintenance works were carried out on the wall in 2024, and I expect there was an assumption it would stabilise once the groundwork on the housing development was completed.

“However, some residents have pointed out that the wall is now tipping seaward and starting to crack at multiple locations, with voids opening up between the wall and the public road. In this context, they have requested that a survey be conducted.”

Cllr Bree concluded by saying, “I welcome the report we have now received from the Director of Services and his commitment that the Roads Department will inspect and carry out a survey of the sea wall.”

The motion was supported by Cllr Ann Higgins who said, “The amount of people swimming in Gibraltar is phenomenal. It is fantastic to see. We need to work to maintain the environment around it.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.