Clean-up underway in Glensafter storms

Sinn Fein representatives in The Glens called for a meeting with Moyle District Council officials to discuss the damage to the sea wall at Cushendall Beach caused by the recent storms.

Speaking about the issue East Antrim Sinn Fein MLA Oliver Mc Mullan said: “Moyle Council must start repair work immediately and put in place a timescale for the work to be completed. There has been substantial damage to the sea defences at Cushendall Beach with the sea wall being breached in at least six places.

“ I raised issues with the integrity and strength of the sea wall with Moyle Council officials at a site meeting as far back as August 2013 and in a number of subsequent e-mails, the last one being sent just before Christmas.”

Speaking last week, he added: “The beach has now been closed for public safety at Sinn Fein’s request, however Moyle Council must begin a clean up operation immediately and the repairs to the bridge must be carried out so that the beach can be reopened to the public with the damaged areas cordoned off.”

Also speaking last week, Glens Sinn Fein Councillor Colum Thompson added: “The repairs at Cushendall Beach must be made without delay and I have placed an emergency motion to this affect on the agenda for the next council meeting on Monday the 13th of January.

“Moyle District Council must now also listen to my repeated requests for a sand bag depot in the mid Glens which is accessible to the public 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I have made this request on a number of occasions and these storms again show how much this facility is needed.

“There is no point in Moyle District Council holding a series of meetings and forming emergency plans if a basic function such as providing accessible sand bags is not being carried out.”

The councillor and MLA helped distribute sandbags in the area during the recent storms.