A popular cliff walk in Co Wicklow is facing its fourth summer of closure as the local authority says it is still trying to find ways to reopen the route.
Wicklow County Council has said they may need to acquire land before the Bray-Greystones cliff walk can be reopened, but locals say its closure is a major loss to the community and businesses.
The 7km-long cliff walk, which has spectacular views of Ireland’s east coast, has been closed since February 2021 after a number of landslides made parts of the route unstable.
However, locals say the closure has been going on for too long and it is impacting the community.
Greystones resident Lynn Hodgins said she also has safety concerns because some people are climbing over the barriers that have been put in place.
“It’s scenically beautiful, it just gets you away from the hustle and bustle of everything and you’re beside the sea and it’s just a complete switch off so having it gone is a massive loss,” she said.
“But also from a safety perspective a lot of people are going up and they’re trying to get around the gate and they’re still trying to navigate it which is really dangerous”.
Conall Finn, a local scout leader who is also a trail runner with Kilcoole Athletics Club, says the longer the route remains closed, the more adults and children in the area are losing out on being able to use the much-loved amenity.
Drone footage shows sections of the cliff walk from above
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“If they have to go down the road of compulsory purchase, I’m understanding that that’s a lengthy process. There are active interim solutions that could be taken, and I believe that’s what should be looked into,” he said.
He added: “An interim solution and then follow it through with a permanent solution. It seems to be moving at a glacial pace.”
Businesses too say they are feeling the impact of the ongoing closure.
Nigel Spendlove, owner of Spendloves Café in Greystones which is located close to the start of the cliff walk, said the route delivered visitor trade to his and other business in the village seven days a week, and that the closure of the route has had a major impact on his business.
“The impact was instantaneous; you see it in your takings at the end of the day and it would have also had a big impact on the other businesses here.”
In a statement, Wicklow County Council say they have not yet decided how the route can be reopened.
On the Bray side, they say they have tendered for work to install rock bolts and steel meshing but that process will take until at least July.
On the Greystones side, they say they are considering land acquisition from local landowners and exploring the option of a diversion route.
“Unfortunately, the walk from both sides remains closed for safety reasons,” the council says.
“Officials from both the Bray Municipal District and the Greystones Municipal District are working together to find a solution to reopen it from both sides. Once tenders have been received and assessed a clearer picture will emerge and options can be further considered by both municipal districts for a cohesive approach.”
