Simon Harris faces criticism as Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk reopening misses St Patrick’s Day deadline
The Wicklow PeopleSinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady has called on Tánaiste Simon Harris to apologise for "misleading" the public, following the failure to reopen the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk by the promised deadline of March 17, 2026.
The popular coastal route, which has been closed since 2021 due to landslides, remains closed despite a "firm commitment" made by the Tánaiste before Christmas to deliver at least a partial reopening.
Deputy Brady criticised the Tánaiste for making public commitments, while aware of the significant environmental and safety constraints on Bray Head, which is part of the route.
He stated the deadline's passing has left the community feeling misled by "reckless commitments".
“It is completely unacceptable that the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk remains closed despite a very public commitment from Simon Harris that it would reopen by St Patrick’s Day 2026,” he said.
“Just before Christmas, the Tánaiste announced what he described as both short-term and medium-term solutions and gave a firm commitment that the walk would reopen by March 17 this year.
“That deadline has now passed. The walk remains closed, and the people of Wicklow have been given no explanation as to why the commitment he made has not been delivered.”
The Wicklow TD is now demanding a credible plan and the removal of any financial blockages to ensure the walk is reopened as swiftly as possible.
“Simon Harris now needs to apologise to the people of Wicklow, explain what has gone wrong, and set out a credible plan that will finally deliver a safe and sustainable reopening of the Cliff Walk.
“What is needed now is action. The Tánaiste must ensure that everything possible is done to reopen the Cliff Walk as swiftly as possible.
"The Government must now give a clear commitment that the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk will be reopened as quickly as possible, and that whatever funding is required to make that happen will be provided without delay.”
Meanwhile the campaign group Friends of the Cliff Walk has acknowledged that the St Patrick’s Day reopening target was ambitious and possibly unrealistic.
In a statement on social media, the group said that Mr Harris’s taskforce, which Wicklow County Council is part of, supported the reopening target date, even though it is no longer feasible.
However, the group feels the target date was helpful to “concentrate minds” on the task ahead.
Wicklow County Council has defended the continued closure, citing urgent safety reports that identify sections of the path in "imminent danger of collapse".
Recent visual inspections by RPS consultants found further deterioration of slopes, particularly on the Greystones side, with deep cracks forming in the footpath.
The council maintains that legal advice leaves them no option but to prohibit access until a full assessment of the risk is complete and the route is deemed safe for users.
While the main path remains closed, the council is directing walkers to an alternative looped route around Bray Head. Discussions with landowners regarding potentially rerouting parts of the path inland are reportedly ongoing.