Progress Made In Efforts To Reopen Bray To Greystones Cliffwalk

Steven Matthews TD has reported progress on a long term solution to fixing the Cliff Walk. 

Deputy Matthews said, “Following my engagement with Irish Rail, the Minister for Local Government and the Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, it looks positive that we will receive central government funding. 

“The erosion, rock fall and collapse of sections of the Cliff Walk is going to continue. These are natural events that impact every coastal landscape and will intensify with climate change. 

“In order to keep the Cliff Walk accessible and safe it’s going to require very significant high cost engineering interventions. The cost of these works will not be once off and will require continuous inspections and maintenance repairs. This cost of this is beyond the means of Bray and Greystones Municipal District. However the Cliff Walk is a national treasure, it was enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors every week when it was open and safe and it needs central Government support and funding to get it open again. 

“Wicklow County Council has a Cliff Walk committee and I recently brought Irish Rail engineers to the table as they have considerable experience in coastal defence works around Bray Head. I also met with the Minister with responsibility for Local Government and explained the situation around the Cliff Walk. I asked if he would be willing to assist with funding to carry out a detailed study on the current problematic locations and the likely future weak or risky geology of the entire route. I suggested that it is only by getting a full picture of repair and preventative works that we can put forward a plan for long term protection of our much loved Cliff Walk. 

Matthews continued, “I contacted the Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council and suggested that following my engagement with the Minister that WCC should also make contact to seek funding assistance. 

“I am delighted to report that the Minister has positively responded and a business case is now being prepared for national funding. 

“Having worked on the railway for 30 years previous to being a TD I am very familiar with the cliff walk and the decades of coastal defence works to prevent damage to the railway. We have to be very honest in how we approach the restoration of the walk, the likelihood of continued natural erosion and the ongoing costs of repairs and preventative engineering measures in the future. 

“Having a proper detailed stability assessment and a long term funding strategy based on that evidence is the only way to responsibly manage this beautiful natural asset for current visitors and for future generations to enjoy. If re-elected I will continue this process and finish the job,” concluded Deputy Matthews