WCC Just Passing The Muck?

Cliff Walk this way… SAT30NOV24

atest press release from Cllr Stephen Stokes, issued on Thursday, December 19th 2024…

Wicklow County Council has gone out to tender to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk.

This iconic route, which has faced a series of ongoing challenges, including erosion, landslides, and maintenance issues, will undergo a thorough evaluation to ensure its safety, sustainability, and accessibility.

The closing date for the receipt of tender applications is February 7th, 2025. Once commenced, it is expected that a report will take one month to process and complete. Wicklow County Council has applied to the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government for funding for this phase of the project.

Cllr Stephen Stokes has welcomed the move by Wicklow County Council, and commended their recent actions to find a long term resolution. This includes the re-establishment of the Cliff Walk management committee, which is now meeting regularly. Cllr Stokes stated: “Getting positive momentum for the Cliff Walk is essential. There is significant activity happening, which includes engagement with Irish Rail. Wicklow County Council is acutely aware of how important the Cliff Walk is to the community, and I support their plan of action. Assessing the Cliff Walk in a holistic manner is vital. It’s time to pursue a decisive and comprehensive plan.”

The tender process will identify qualified experts to examine issues affecting the Cliff Walk. The successful company will firstly be asked to inspect a number of key areas including; the condition of the Cliff Walk, the integrity of the rock face along Bray Head, and the identification of all points along the trail that are at risk of collapse due to the effects of coastal and surface water erosion. Additionally the report shall seek to identify possible solutions, that could be implemented in the short to medium term in order to reopen the Cliff Walk in its current location.

At a minimum this analysis is expected to focus on the risk to the public of a hazard occurring regardless of measures implemented, the cost of the measures, the expected lifespan of measures, and the environmental Impact of proposed measures. Finally the safety, health and welfare risks associated with the implementation proposed measures should be looked at. The Sport Ireland Outdoors publication ‘Walking Trails – Criteria for Ireland’ shall serve as the reference document in determining the appropriate criteria and standards applicable. Where shortcomings are found these shall be documented, mapped, and a risk assessment conducted to determine any potential impacts for users of the Cliff Walk.

Commenting on the decision, Cllr Stephen Stokes added: “The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk is one of Wicklow’s most cherished natural attractions, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Unfortunately, closures due to erosion and safety concerns have impacted the ability of people to access and enjoy the walk. Going out to tender for a detailed assessment is a crucial step towards ensuring that we understand the full scope of the issues, and take the necessary action to restore this beautiful coastal path for generations to come.”

On the Greystones side, a circa 800 metre length of the cliff walk has become very hazardous to the public by virtue of the substantial risk of collapse of the walk whilst people are on it. Several recent slippages over the last decade, and more recently the last five years, have led to the walk itself collapsing twice at one location, requiring a bridge to be erected, and a subsequent longer bridge, at a collapse at a second location.

The seven kilometre walk between Bray and Greystones is believed to have been in existence for use by both communities since the mid 1850s, when the Bray to Greystones train line was completed. The walk was originally used as an access route for construction workers. The Cliff Walk has been officially closed by Wicklow County Council as a through route to the public since March 2021.

This was due to a collapse of the soft clay cliff face on the southern side of the route. Another incident of a rock fall onto the northern side of the route in October 2022 further exacerbated the closure. Wicklow County Council remains committed to maintaining and improving public amenities and ensuring that the natural beauty of the county is protected and accessible.

You can check out what really addressing The Cliff Walk closure looks like right here.