So, How Safe Is Greystones’ Coastline…?

Arising from the unprecedented level of coastal erosion at Greystones North Beach arising from the new breakwaters at Greystones Harbour it is worth reminding ourselves of the many hollow commitments made by Sisk/Park Developments and Wicklow County Council to An Bord Pleanala when obtaining planning permission.

The oral hearing on the Greystones Harbour Development was held in the Royal Hotel, Bray over 5 days during March and April 2006.

During this oral hearing commitments were made in public by Sisk/Park Developments and Wicklow County Council with regard to coastal protection of Greystones North Beach. On behalf of the developers Mr Clon Ulrick, Associate Director at Arup, stated:
• During construction it is intended to import approximately
30,000 cubic metres of shingle rock or stone. (NOT DONE)
• It is planned to import up to 6,000 cubic metres per year of additional shingle and place it along the coastline in order to control the rate of erosion of the shoreline. (NOT DONE)
• This beach nourishment would extend well to the north of the compulsory purchase order area. (NOT DONE)
• Between the north end of the landfill up to a point approximately 250 metres north of the Gap Bridge, what is
proposed is a managed retreat. This would be achieved by importing shingle which would allow erosion to continue, but in a controlled and managed way. (NOT DONE)
• If no coastal defences and beach nourishment proposals are implemented, the coastline is expected to erode by approximately 18 metres over the next 30 years. This would be increased by approximately 3 metres due to global warming. (EROSION LEVEL IS ALREADY EXCEEDED)
• It is intended to truck in approximately 6,000 cubic metres of shingle each year to manage the rate of erosion of the cliffs. (NOT DONE)