Wicklow County Councils Climate Action Plan has stated that the County will have an increased frequency and intensity of Coastal Erosion. Recent storm weather events such as Storm Emma, Betty, Jocelyn, Isha, Debi, Babet and Agnes have all impacted greatly on our coastline. The Plan is highlighting this pattern to increase.
Wicklow County Council initiated a Brittas Bay Biodiversity Project in 2019, Actions taken include conservation management reports, trialling of mowing regimes, grazing trials, monitoring, botanical surveys, community workshops and removal of sea buckthorn with volunteers. The focus is to restore the biodiversity of this SAC and build its resilience to the impacts of climate. The most recent publication is the "Conservation Management Actions and recommended Prescriptions at Brittas Bay Dunes 2024-2028".
The Climate Action Plan specifically has two actions focused on Coastal erosion detailed below:
1 NEGI: Engage with neighbouring local authorities and other relevant organisations (including Irish Rail) on coastal erosion, whilst advocating and exerting influence to ensure supported coastal erosion works and development promote climate action co-benefits and do not contravene relevant environmental protection criteria or cause significant negative environmental effects.
11 NEGI: Incorporate Nature-Based measures for coastal erosion in order to support the conservation and management of sand dunes at Brittas Bay, having due regard to environmental sensitivities associated with coastal areas such as the receiving marine environment, biodiversity, European sites, recreation and amenity value.
Recent Projects ongoing include:
Brittas Bay & Ennereilly
Wicklow County Council Applied and Subsequently received €121,5000 funding from the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal protection Scheme to carry out a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study.
Applications for funding of such studies under the Minor Works Scheme, cover up to a maximum of 90% of the cost.
Malachy Walsh & Co Ltd have been appointed following procurement through the eTenders platform.
The Study Covers 5km of Brittas Bay and 7km of Ennereilly.
Greystones North Beach
OPW Application Made for Study
This area is also been covered by ECRIPP Study.
Discussions are currently ongoing between Wicklow County council, the OPW and Irish Rail
Additionally there is Beach nourishment been carried out by Sispar, this works include the access ramp to the Beach under a 30 year concession agreement
Arklow North Beach to Clogga Strand
OPW Application Made for Coastal Erosion Management Study
Will proceed to tender study
Will revied the existing Rock Revetment Condition Arklow
Review the Coastal Erosion of the Beaches within the sdudy area
East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Project (ECRIPP)
Established to deliver the necessary enhanced coastal protection to the existing railway infrastructure
ECRIPP will shortly undertake public consultation on the emerging preferred option
The railway line between Dublin and Wicklow, is vulnerable to further loss due to coastal erosion
To address and implement protection of the existing railway and coastal infrastructure
Five coastal cell areas have been assessed (3 in Wicklow)
CCA5 - Bray Head to Greystones North Beach
CCA6.1 - Greystones to Newcastle
CCA6.2 - Newcastle to Wicklow Harbour
ECRIPP is funded by the Department of Transport, through the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040.
ECRIPP is being implemented by Iarnród Éireann as part of Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Programme
Greystones to Wicklow Greenway
Route Selection Public Consultation likely to be similar time frame as ECRIPP
Coastal Route, regional road and an In-between field Boundary are possible routes
Primary emerging preferred route is the Coastal Route
Communications between ECRIPP and the Greystones to Wicklow Greenway team taking place