A councillor has raised coastal defence concerns amid claims of quad bikes and scramblers tearing away embankments.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) is home to three award winning Blue Flag beaches at Cranfield, Murlough and Tyrella.
However, it has now been alleged that off road bikers are adding to the weathered damage as the picturesque coastline takes a “hammering” with yards of land being recently lost.
In chambers, Mournes DUP councillor Henry Reilly said: “We as a council have approximately 150 miles of some of the most beautiful coastline in the country.
“Unfortunately, our coast has taken a terrible hammering over the past few months with high tides accompanied by near hurricane force south westerly storms, which is the absolute worst combination in terms of damage to our coastline.
“I have also raised concerns that unauthorised motorised quad bikes and scramblers are destroying the flora at the beaches in and around Kilkeel.
“When this cannot grow back a natural defence to landslip is lost.
“Unfortunately, the council was unable to do anything about it at the time I raised these concerns. There have been five to six yards lost recently.”
He added:”When it comes to damage to our coastline we have no statutory agency tasked with maintaining our coastal facilities.
“We have to pay for repairs through our own ratepayers whereas in England coastal defence funding comes primarily from government investment.
“At present we are in urgent need of repairs to our coastal areas Annalong Harbour South pier, the Annalong Coastal path and a stretch of council owned beach at Cranfield as well as ongoing coastal erosion to council land at the Mourne Esplanade and Newcastle.
“All these repairs and improvements would be funded by the central government in England, but here we are left to fend for ourselves.
“I would like to propose that we look towards establishing such agencies here in our council area.”
The Mournes councillor was asked to refer his suggestions to another time by chairperson Philip Campbell (Sinn Fein) as it was not listed for discussion on the full council agenda, with no response provided to his request.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) contacted the council.
A NMDDC spokesperson (Jan 23) said:“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council can confirm that at the council meeting on 12 January, the chief executive (Marie Ward) requested that Councillor Henry Reilly provide further information in relation to the concerns he raised regarding coastal erosion.
“This was to allow council officers to fully understand the issues and engage appropriately.
“Council officials will continue to engage with Councillor Reilly on the matters raised, including any information shared with the chief executive following the meeting.”
