A SMALL COASTAL community in Co Kerry has been cut off by road following major slides on an access road this week due to ongoing erosion.
17 houses on the Cliff Road at Rossbeigh, near Cahersiveen, have been cut off since Tuesday after a major slide of earth from the cliff-face following heavy rainfall over the weekend.
The houses are a mixture of residential and holiday homes.
Residents of the area have been pleading for attention to be paid to the issue of erosion in the area for some time after heavy rainfall in both 2013 and 2014 left the cliffside in a precarious state.
The area remains accessible by foot but vehicular access is currently impossible.
Local independent councillor Michael Cahill told TheJournal.ie that “this is something that needs to be solved, and now”.
“The cliff face is clay and very soft, and this is going to be very difficult to resolve to be honest with you,” Cahill said.
He acknowledges that a car can still just about get in and out of the cul de sac, “although it’s not something you or I would attempt. And as for an oil truck or an ambulance, not a chance”.
Simon Harris (minister for public procurement) was down here last May at my invitation and saw for himself the situation, we’re blue in the face from telling ministers about this.
We seem to have a habit of leaving everything in this country until it’s far too late. That is what has happened here.
“For safety reasons, Kerry County Council has closed the section of road which has collapsed to vehicular traffic but pedestrian access can be facilitated,” the council said in a statement.
The council is currently in consultation with all affected families, to advise of them of the impact and potential solutions to address the issue.
An application for emergency funding has been submitted by the council to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an alternative access.
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