Dart line shutdowns in September and October key window for Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk inspections
The Wicklow PeopleNewly released correspondence shows the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk project is facing a series of practical hurdles that are likely to push key inspection work into the autumn.
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act set out how railway safety rules, ecological protections and tendering delays are shaping the timeline for reopening one of Wicklow’s most popular walking routes.
The update, sent by Tetra Tech on June 29, 2026, outlines months of behind-the-scenes preparation. The consultants spent March to June developing safety procedures and insurance requirements for rope access inspections, the specialist work needed to examine unstable cliff faces.
Several ecological surveys have already taken place, which are essential before any physical inspection can begin, and the findings feed directly into environmental assessments.
The Cliff Walk dates from the 1850s, when it was formed as an access route for railway workers building the line from Dublin to Wexford, seen here between Bray and Greystones
The biggest constraint comes from the railway. The Cliff Walk runs beside the busy Bray Head rail line, and Iarnród Éireann has set out strict conditions before any rope access work can take place.
All staff working near the tracks must hold personal track safety certification.
The contractor must prepare a detailed method statement for every rope access drop location. The railway operator also requires four weeks’ notice before inspections begin and may need staff on site during the works. Any access to trackside areas must be approved in advance and depends on the availability of protection staff.
The documents also point to a narrow window of opportunity later in the year.
Iarnród Éireann plans weekend shutdowns in September and October for its own works on Bray Head. These shutdowns could allow rope access contractors to carry out inspections without trains running, but only if all safety and tendering requirements are met in time.
This means the earliest realistic date for rope access inspections is now autumn, rather than immediately after the bird nesting season, which ends on August 31.
Environmental approvals are another factor. The Appropriate Assessment Screening Report for the rope access investigation is still being prepared and cannot be finalised until tender returns are received.
The rope access scope was sent to NPWS and Iarnród Éireann on May 19. NPWS raised no major concerns during a meeting on May 27, but the tendering process remains a key dependency. Without a contractor appointed, the council cannot complete the environmental screening or confirm inspection dates.
The documents also confirm that Tetra Tech is being appointed as project supervisor for the design process, a role that carries legal responsibility for safety during the design phase. Documents for this appointment are currently being developed. This marks a shift from early assessment work into formal planning and safety management.
Another detail in the correspondence shows that discussions are underway about possible inland route options. These discussions are not just exploratory, they involve planning, environmental and engineering design tasks.
The rope access plan is agreed in principle by NPWS and Iarnród Éireann, but cannot proceed until a contractor is appointed and safety documentation is complete.
The railway shutdowns on September 12 and 13 and October 4 and 5 now appear to be the most practical window for inspections, provided all approvals fall into place.