Calls for new taskforce to save Murrough and Dublin to Rosslare rail line
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council is facing calls to urgently intervene and address the ongoing coastal erosion taking place at the Murrough in Wicklow town, which is now just metres from the Dublin-Rosslare rail line.
Responding to recent progress on the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, which was discussed at the December monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Paul O’Brien said he welcomed developments in north Wicklow, but highlighted how the community further south is facing an equally serious situation.
“By the end of the decade we’re not going to have a Murrough. We’re not going to have a railway line let alone anything else. I compliment everyone involved in the Bray Cliff Walk, but if we don’t get action on the Murrough soon we’re going to lose our only railway link between Wicklow and Dublin.”
Two recent presentations from Irish Rail indicated that major coastal protection works may not begin until 2029 at the earliest.
He warned that the consequences of inaction before then would be severe.
“I tried to make it clear in a social media post last week. This is not the responsibility of Wicklow County Council as in funding. This is going to require multiple times of ten million.
“We just passed the council’s €185 million budget, which funds everything from roads and water services to housing, staff and playgrounds. While people say the council don’t care, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I think we really need to get the Tánaiste and others on board in terms of Wicklow, the Murrough and what’s required because if we don’t, we’re going to lose it.
“Without adding another headache to the chief executive, but we’ve seen what a task force can do.
“If we lose it shame on all of us because it is coming to that day very soon,” he added.
Cllr O’Brien said he has spoken with Cllr Gail Dunne and that both are now calling for a dedicated Murrough Taskforce, which would echo the same structure used for the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk.
Cllr Dunne believes now is the time for action.
“I support Cllr O’Brien and his motion. I think we need to have a look at ourselves in Wicklow town in our district. We had the TDs down a couple of weeks ago and we told them the problems in Wicklow town and not one of them -- they went on about the courthouse, the Dart - but not one of them has gone on about the Murrough. That’s one of the most important things in our town and it’d be terrible if we lost it.
“And shame on us, as Paul said, there would be terrible, and us living locally it would be terrible,” he added.
In response chief executive Emer O’Gorman said the establishment of a new taskforce is something council officials will consider.
“Cllr O’Brien, I hear what you’re saying. We will certainly take it away and come back and have a talk via the district with yourselves and Cllr Dunne on that.”