Meeting with Wicklow Golf Club over closed cliff walk
EFFORTS will be made to secure funding for protection works at the Glen Turn Beach in an effort to reopen the cliff walk.
RPS Consultants have produced a design which will be emailed to the elected members this week.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, district engineer Paul Byrne said: ‘Once we complete the design work we can look for funding. It’s a step in the right direction and will go toward getting the cliff walk regularised. We would hope to able to start work next year, funding permitted.’
The design includes new steps with hand railings down to the beach. The entrance to the cliff walk will be located before reaching the beach.
Protection will also be put in place and will be embedded into the sand and anchored to bed rock.
Talks will also take place with Wicklow Golf Club, whose cooperation will be required in order for the works, estimated to cost at least €500,000, to be a success.
‘The golf club is very willing to talk to us. It would be more expensive without their involvement because we would have to bring everything in by sea and boat,’ advised Mr Byrne.
Cllr Gail Dunne said: ‘Hopefully the golf club will be open to the discussions. We need to listen to their fears because they are a stakeholder there.
Cllr Mary Kavanagh was impressed by the design drawings presented to the councillors.
She said: ‘I think all the works will look fabulous if they all come to fruition. It will be a fantastic amenity for walkers, tourists and locals alike.’
Cllr John Snell cautiously welcomed the update.
‘In reality we are only at the design stage so things are only on paper. It won’t go anywhere if we don’t get funding. The works will be to the golf club’s benefit as well because the erosion will eventually impact them too.’
Cllr Daire Nolan warned that funding would be the biggest issue.
‘We need to pursue all avenues, whether that be National or European. At least we are moving in the right direction.’
Wicklow Municipal District cathaoirleach Cllr Shay Cullen felt a reopened cliff walk would have huge tourism potential for Wicklow town.
‘We have been speaking about this for three to four years so there is a certain amount of frustration that nothing has happened.
‘Hopefully we will have a clearer picture when we get to meet with the golf club. The cliff-walk would be a great addition for Wicklow, especially tourism-wise.’