Tánaiste Simon Harris Welcomes Publication of Final Cliff Walk Report

Simon Harris says “This report is the roadmap we need. The people of Wicklow deserve action to bring this spectacular route back to life.

The Tánaiste is welcoming the publication of the final report on the future of the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk.

The long-awaited 35-page document provides a detailed picture of the safety challenges that forced the closure of the route since 2021.

Wicklow TD Simon Harris says:

“This report is significant. It sets out, in detail, the real dangers along both the Bray and Greystones sides of the Cliff Walk and the options to make it safe again.

It now falls to Wicklow County Council to agree a plan of action to address these risks and deliver it as soon as possible.”

RPS engineers carried out extensive site inspections, drone surveys and risk assessments over the summer. Their work highlights the following:

• Bray side (northern section) – Steep rock slopes with a high risk of rock falls and undermining of the path, including several areas where previous failures have occurred. Seven slopes require remedial works, with netting or sprayed concrete identified as the most effective short-term solution.
• Greystones side (southern section) – Coastal cliffs composed of soft glacial soils are collapsing into the sea due to ongoing erosion, with some sections of path already narrowed or lost. The report records landslides within metres of the walkway and predicts that storms and climate change will accelerate retreat.
• Overall risk – Out of 30 slopes assessed, seven require urgent remedial works and a further nine need detailed inspection. Warning signage, regular inspections, and a formal maintenance programme are recommended for the entire route.
• Long-term options or both the Bray and Greystones sections, the report concludes that the most desirable long-term solution is to re-route the walk away from the most unstable ground. Where re-routing is not possible, targeted stabilisation such as rock netting on the Bray side could be undertaken, but would not eliminate all risk.

Simon Harris convened stakeholder meetings which led to the commissioning of this report and secured fortnightly updates on progress throughout the summer.

The Tánaiste added:

“I want to thank Wicklow County Council and RPS for the enormous amount of technical work that has gone into this report.

“We now have the evidence and the options clearly laid out. The priority must be to agree a clear plan whether that involves re-routing, stabilisation, or a combination of measures to allow the safe reopening of this much-loved walk.”

Simon Harris is pledging to monitor the process closely and to keep pushing for the Cliff Walk to reopen as soon as it is safely possible.