Restoration Works Now Complete On Former Bray Coastal Dump

Works have now been completed at the former coastal dump site in Bray.

Deputy Matthews worked with both Wicklow County Council and Dun Laoghaire Council during his time as a councillor to engage them in seeking a solution to the legacy dump. 

Speaking after visiting the coastal protection scheme Matthews said,“It’s a success for water quality for sea swimmers, a success for our marine environment and a success for public recreation and amenity. 

“For decades this old dump site was eroded by waves and you could clearly see old waste, plastic and rubbish being exposed and ending up in the coastal waters. I was determined that this environmental disaster should be remedied and I brought Wicklow County Council and Dun Laoghaire Council together to seek an engineering solution. Both councils collaborated to design a coastal protection scheme and a soft landscaped area to top off the old dump site. 

“It’s a massive improvement to the area, there’s no more erosion or old waste leaking from the site and this has positive impacts on water quality, especially for the hundreds of sea swimmers that use our Seafront. 

“The dump had been a problem for decades but nobody seemed to be doing anything but talking about it and I sought urgent action. It was legacy landfill site for Bray waste and was used up to the late 1960s with ownership of the land split between the two councils. I knew it would only get fixed by sitting both councils down together, forming a plan of action and applying for funding. 

“With sea level rise, higher tides, storm surges and erosive run off from increased rainfall the entire dump would have eventually end up in the sea if protection was not put in place. It took a little longer than I expected but decades of environmental damage is now fixed and this is a big success story for Bray and the harbour area. 

“During the planning process I suggested the inclusion of a walkway at the site with a view to incorporating it into bigger plans for a northern coastal and cycling route and I’m glad to this has been provided for. Green Party councillor Erika Doyle is working on developing a walking and cycling route through the Harbour to connect with Dun Laoghaire cycling network and coastal walks. We have great potential to improve amenity and recreation at our harbour. The priority for any development in the area must be for improving community use for swimmers, water sports, boat users and the public that like to stroll around this beautiful location and all done to the highest standards of nature protection,” concluded Deputy Matthews.