MAURICE BRYAN,
Sir, - Frank McDonald's article on the proposal to construct a 20-foot wide promenade and cycleway around Dublin Bay (The Irish Times, June 6th) does full justice to the arguments of the proponents.
However, I fear he has not applied his critical faculties to what could well be a very expensive "white elephant".
It does not seem that any serious engineering consideration has been given to the design of the promenade. Is it to be at sea level, in which case it will be submerged much of the time and will present a serious security problem? Or is it to be at high level so that it can be visible from the road, in which case the cost will be astronomical?
What consideration has been given to sea-level rise as a result of global warming? Already quite a moderate tide leads to over topping of the promenade at Sandymount, which is raised well above beach level.
Sea water is now reaching the Rock Road during storm conditions. The constant wetting would lead to the formation of algae on the track, as on sea level rock formations, which would be extremely slippery and lead to accidents and claims for compensation.
There are also considerable difficulties in the proposed route between Blackrock and Seapoint, not least the need to preserve architectural and geological heritage sites.
The promoters are wrong to state that "only 150 metres are in the difficult category" as regards wildlife conservation. In fact about six kilometres of track, from Irishtown to Dun Laoghaire, would abut the Dublin Bay Special Area of Conservation/Special Protection, and any construction beyond the existing wall would require a rigorous environmental impact assessment to ensure that no damage was done to the protected bird populations. As disturbance is the second most serious threat to birds after habitat loss, and as both would be involved in this proposal, it would seem that permission would not be likely to be forthcoming for the project.
It is wrong to say the proposal has received a positive response from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Rather, it has been included as a discussion item in its local coastal plan.
At a recent consultation meeting it received considerable support from those attending, but when questioned, most of these people said they themselves would not use it!
Dublin Bay is a world-class asset, and is now under considerable threat from ill-considered developments and proposals. It is surely time that a proper conservation plan was drawn up for this great amenity, and that the whole coastal zone was placed under an appropriate management system. Indeed, it may be high time to revive the proposal of some years ago that it be made a Special Amenity Area.
In the meantime, it is to be hoped that your readers will give the proposal very thorough scrutiny before giving their support to this extravagant flight of fancy. - Yours, etc.,
MAURICE BRYAN,
Conservation Adviser,
Butterfield Park,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.