CONTRACTORS HAVE begun work on an operation to stabilise dangerous cliff faces and walls in Cobh, Co Cork, to prevent potentially fatal landslides.
A number of rockfalls and landslides over the past 30 years have caused damage to property, and claimed the life of a child in 1980.
Blarney-based firm Cumnor Construction secured tenders for the first three contracts to carry out works at East Hill and Bellevue School as part of phase one, Harbour Road and Rahilly Street in phase two, and a third phase at Wolfe Tone Street.
Locals have welcomed the plan to begin the work at the three priority locations. Unstable walls and cliffs are to be secured through a combination of protective barriers and rock anchors to make dangerous rock faces more solid.
The Department of Environment has provided €2.8 million in funding for all three phases. The balance will be provided by Cork County Council and Cobh Town Council.
“Over the past 30 years we have received funding and carried out works on a reactive basis, responding to slips and rockfalls that have not only damaged property but killed a young child in the East Hill area when a cliff collapsed on to the roof of a house in 1980,” Cobh town clerk Pádraig Lynch said.
“We have secured funding for the first phase of works, to cost an estimated €3.3 million. The total estimated cost is in the region of €7.35 million, but the areas presenting the biggest threat will be tackled first.”
The first and second phases of work are expected to be completed by Christmas.