Work underway to improve water quality at Front Strand Beach Youghal – Barry

“Work is underway to address the problems caused by historic underinvestment at Front Strand Beach in Youghal”, says Tom Barry, Fine Gael TD for Cork East.

“Irish Water is addressing the problems caused by the lack of investment over many years at the beaches and coastal areas recently classified as ‘poor’ in the EPA’s Bathing Water Report. This of course includes Front Strand Beach, one of seven beaches across the country classified as having poor quality bathing water in the report.

“A major contract for work on the sewerage network at the beach is well advanced and likely to be completed during the coming summer. In addition, a new Wastewater Treatment Plant Contract has been concluded and is ready to commence as soon as all statutory processes are completed. It is expected that work will commence on site in mid-2015 with completion by end 2016.

“Irish Water projects are also underway to improve standards at the six other beaches identified by the EPA report. It is in the interest of the whole community that these crucial works take place to protect our natural resources 

“Years and years of underinvestment in our sewerage and water treatment have left Front Strand Beach neglected, and it is simply not good enough that local people are now concerned about swimming at this wonderful beach.

“I look forward to an improvement in the water quality at Youghal’s Front Strand Beach once this vital work is completed.”