Sir – Sarah Slater reported on January 16th that the Bray to Greystones cliff walk had been closed for almost five years due to multiple landslides which have made sections of the route unstable.
Wicklow County Council set a “conservative timeline” of 36 months to complete remedial works. After the unrelenting rainfall since January 16th, I question if the council was correct in this assessment.
On February 25th, the Bray to Greystones cliff walk management committee was advised by the council that due to further landsliding and regression on the Greystones side, sections of the cliff walk are in imminent danger of collapse and the public should not use it.
This is an example of the accelerating pace of coastal erosion along the east coast.
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We have arrived at a point where it will not be possible to save all amenities from the ravages of climate change-induced coastal erosion. The cost and complexity of the remedial works needed to make the cliff walk safe for walkers may be too high. After completion of remedial works, the risk of ongoing damage caused by rockfall and rainfall could result in subsequent closure.
Climate change adaptation budgets are not limitless. In light of the recent devastating flood events, the Government may not have the financial resources to defend and protect all damaged amenities. Sacrifices will sadly have to be made.
By not reopening the cliff walk, there would be improved biodiversity benefits. This possibility of the cliff walk not reopening needs to be aired to manage the public’s expectations. By understanding the damage that climate change is causing locally, people should be encouraged to take their own personal climate actions to limit the damage for the benefit of this and future generations. – Yours, etc,
MARK FOX,
Shankill,
Dublin 18.
