Transfer of land to golf club in bid to reinstate the cliff walk
COUNCILLORS agreed to the disposal of land at Dunbur Head over to the trustees of Wicklow Golf Club to assist with efforts to reinstate the cliff walk.
In 2014, fencing and warning signs were erected blocking accessibility for walkers to the picturesque cliff walk from the Glen Turn entrance.
There were no objections in the council chamber to the disposal of 7.50 acres. Talks have also taken place between Wicklow County Council and the Golf Club over the cliff walk.
Cllr Gail Dunne said: ‘‘This is a very exciting time for Wicklow town and reopening the walk will be a great opportunity for tourism. It will help open up the area for walking and the county needs this. I congratulate Wicklow Municipal District on the amount of work that has gone into this. My fellow District councillors will agree that we were always kept informed of what was happening. I thank Wicklow Golf Club for their efforts as well’.
Cllr Shay Dunne praised the behind-the-scenes efforts which have taken place in order to progress the reopening of the walk.
‘We have secured funding for a trail upgrade and safety improvement measures. It would be the intention that we would look for further funding to continue improving the cliff walk. I know there are issues with pinch points on the walk which will be looked into. I think some common ground has been achieved. It’s a fantastic amenity in a fabulous location’.
Cllr John Snell said the reopening of the walk was ‘good news’ for locals and visitors alike.
‘A lot of dialogue has taken place and I understand the concerns both sides had. Common sense has prevailed and now we can draw down the €75,000 in funding we received and secure it’.
Cllr Irene Winters said: ‘An enormous amount of work has been carried out by Wicklow Municipal District. I think this is the best solution we could get to make sure access would be back open’.
While Cllr Mary Kavanagh also welcomed the progress being made, she said Friends of the Murrough still had some concerns.
‘The start of the walk needs to be reinforced. They are also looking for reassurances that the Council will treat this as an ongoing project that will be looked at as things arise. There is no point securing the walk if we don’t stand by it and ensure it will last in the future’.
District Manager Brian Gleeson responded: ‘Any new damage caused by coastal erosion will be assessed. All options will be examined and we will continue to pursue funding for coastal protection works’.