East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects ECRIPP
Project Overview
Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail (IÉ) operates and maintains a safe rail network on the east coast of Ireland. The Dublin to Wicklow section of this line is a critical part of the rail network, with southside DART, Gorey commuter and Rosslare Europort Intercity services operating along this scenic route.
In recent years IÉ has seen an increase in the frequency of storm events as result of climate change. This necessitates more and more maintenance works to be carried out to respond to the effects of coastal erosion, wave overtopping and coastal flooding on the rail line and supporting infrastructure. These works result in increasing disruption to existing services.
The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) were established to deliver the necessary enhanced coastal protection to the existing railway infrastructure in a number of key locations on this section of the rail network.
The ECRIPP project team is currently undertaking public consultation on the Emerging Preferred Scheme for individual coastal cell areas. Feedback on the proposals will be incorporated into further design development to advance the design through to public consultation 2, where we will present the Preferred Option for each CCA. This will culminate with submissions for the necessary statutory consents in 2026.
Further detail on ECRIPP and the steps being taken to protect sections of the Dublin to Wicklow rail line can found below.
Project Background
Some sections of the coastal railway south of Dublin to Wicklow are vulnerable to the impacts of coastal erosion, coastal flooding, wave overtopping and cliff instability that is expected to increase both in frequency and severity in future years as a result of climate change. More information on the impact of climate change in Ireland is provided at www.climateireland.ie.
The impacts of coastal erosion on the east coast of Ireland from Dublin to County Wicklow are increasingly evident with beaches and cliffs being eroded on an annual basis. Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail (IÉ) has first-hand experience of these impacts. This rate of loss will increase in line with sea level rise and storm frequency/intensity increases as a result of climate change. Some areas of the East Coast rail line have seen encroachment through the loss of coast of up to 20-30 metres in the last 10 years alone. This has resulted in large losses in land and habitats, and incursions to such levels that the railway line between Dublin and Wicklow, is vulnerable to further loss due to coastal erosion.
The current east coast rail line is fully operational. ECRIPP will mitigate against coastal erosion, extreme weather and coastal flooding to ensure rail connectivity is maintained. IÉ will continue to undertake maintenance and remedial works in key areas along the east coast rail line.
Key Project Objectives
The primary focus of this project is to address and implement protection of the existing railway and coastal infrastructure against the further effects of coastal erosion due to climate change in five key areas on the railway line between Dublin and Wicklow.
The key objectives of the project include;
- support the continued safe operation of rail services;
- increase railway infrastructure future resilience to climate change;
- provide improved and sustainable coastal protection works against predicted climate change effects such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, storm surges on the east coast railway corridor;
- secure the railway line for future generations;
- allow for the long term efficient management and maintenance of the railway corridor;
- support sustainable low carbon local, regional and international connectivity fostering a low carbon and climate resilient society;
Coastal Cell Areas
Five key locations have been assessed as requiring protection to increase resilience to coastal erosion as a result of climate change. These five Coastal Cell Areas (CCA)have been assessed as they have experienced incursions to such levels that existing infrastructure is at risk due to coastal erosion.
These five Coastal Cell Areas are;
- CCA1 - Merrion to Dún Laoghaire
- CCA2-3 - Dalkey Tunnel to Shanganagh Bray Wastewater Treatment Plant
- CCA5 - Bray Head to Greystones North Beach
- CCA6.1 - Greystones to Newcastle
- CCA6.2 - Newcastle to Wicklow Harbour
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Click here for an Accessible version of the ECRIPP Coastal Cell Areas map
Where are we now?
We are currently in Phase 2 Project Concept, Feasibility and Option Selection. The design process and environmental studies for ECRIPP have commenced, and we are at a key stage in the project. Your participation and feedback is encouraged and we are interested in gaining your feedback and comments at this stage in the design process.
We have carried out several surveys to inform Phase 2. These surveys covered non-intrusive ecological surveys, topographic surveys and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys. We are also undertaking ground investigation to inform the design close to the rail line.
Please see link to AA Screening Declaration relating to the ground investigation survey.
Public Consultation 1
Public participation during the design process is a key element in the delivery of ECRIPP. This project has a two non-statutory public consultation process. The first public consultation on ECRIPP is the ‘Emerging Preferred Scheme’ for each Coastal Cell Area. This current public consultation will consider all feedback received, to advance the design through to public consultation two.
Feedback is now requested on the ‘Emerging Preferred Scheme’ for each of the five Coastal Cell Areas. For further details visit the consultation page.
Next Steps
The option selection process and design development that has been undertaken to date has led to the development of the emerging preferred scheme for each Coastal Cell Area that is the focus of Public Consultation 1.
Once the public consultation process is complete, all feedback and submissions received will be reviewed and assessed as part of the finalisation of the preferred scheme and design development.
Following a full appraisal of the feedback, a Consultation Findings Report on Public Consultation 1 will be prepared and published to document this process.
All information gathered by the project team will be used to inform the design development of the project which will be the subject of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) as part of the planning application.
The capturing of feedback given by stakeholders is critical during the design development process and is a key element to the delivery of ECRIPP. We welcome public feedback during all stages of the design development. Feedback and queries can be submitted through the project e-mail address, or by written correspondence.
For further details see the Contact Us section.
ECRIPP - FAQs
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The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) will deliver enhanced coastal protection to the existing railway infrastructure on the rail network between Dublin and Wicklow. The rail line in sections is vulnerable to coastal erosion, wave overtopping and cliff instability that is expected to increase both in frequency and severity in future years due to climate change effects.
ECRIPP will deliver long term engineering solutions to proactively manage climate change effects in the form of wave overtopping, coastal flooding, erosion and coastal cliff instability to this important rail infrastructure corridor. ECRIPP will consider how this line can be protected for future generations in the face of predicted climate change impacts.
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The Dublin to Wicklow section of this line is a critical part of the rail network, with southside DART, Gorey commuter and Rosslare Europort Intercity services operating along this scenic route.
In recent years, Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) has seen an increase in the frequency of storm events as result of climate change. This necessitates increased maintenance works to be carried out to respond to the effects of coastal erosion, wave overtopping and coastal flooding on the rail line and supporting infrastructure. These works result in increasing disruption to existing services.
Some areas of the East Coast rail line have seen encroachment through the loss of coast of up to 20-30 metres in the last 10 years alone. This has resulted in large losses in land and habitats, and incursions to such levels that existing infrastructure, in particular the railway line between Dublin and Wicklow, is at real risk of loss to coastal erosion.
The proposed East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) will examine how to protect railway infrastructure at five key locations that run along a 65km route on the east coast. These locations are vulnerable to the impacts of coastal erosion, coastal flooding, wave overtopping and coastal cliff instability that is expected to increase both in frequency and severity in future years as a result of climate change.
The primary focus of these projects is to identify and implement sustainable coastal erosion protection measures to protect the existing railway infrastructure.
ECRIPP enables IÉ to continue to contribute towards the social and economic development along the east coast railway line. The railway is an important asset to enable a better quality of life and more sustainable travel and Iarnród Éireann will continue to invest in long term strategic infrastructure.
The current east coast rail line is fully operational. ECRIPP will mitigate against coastal erosion, extreme weather and coastal flooding to ensure rail connectivity is maintained. Iarnród Éireann will continue to undertake maintenance and remedial works in key areas along the east coast rail line.
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The railway is an important asset to enable a better quality of life and more sustainable travel and Iarnród Éireann will continue to invest in long term strategic infrastructure.
The key objectives of ECRIPP include;
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provide improved and sustainable coastal protection works against predicted climate change effects such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, storm surges and increased rainfall on the east coast railway corridor;
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support sustainable, low carbon, local, regional and international connectivity fostering a low carbon and climate resilient society.
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Five key locations, termed coastal cell areas along a 65 km route have been identified and assessed as being particularly exposed to coastal erosion and climate change effects on exiting rail infrastructure.
The locations of the five coastal cell areas (CCAs) are:
CCA1- Merrion to Dún Laoghaire
CCA2-3- Dalkey Tunnel to Shanganagh-Bray Wastewater Treatment Plant
CCA5- Bray Head to Greystones North Beach
CCA6.1 -Greystones to Newcastle
CCA6.2- Newcastle to Wicklow Harbour
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Some sections of the coastal railway south of Dublin to Wicklow are more vulnerable than other sections to the impacts of coastal erosion that is expected to increase both in frequency and severity in future years as a result of climate change.
These five coastal cell areas have been assessed as they have experienced recent incursions to such levels that existing railway infrastructure is at risk of coastal erosion due to climate change.
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We are currently in Phase 2 (Concept, Feasibility and Options). During this phase, the project team is working on the development of appropriate measures to best manage the risks to the railway associated with coastal hazards in the five key areas (coastal cell areas). Over the coming months we will be carrying out several surveys to inform the design development. These surveys will cover non-intrusive ecological surveys and bathymetric surveys. We also plan to carry out Ground Investigation to inform the design close to the rail line.
As part of the public consultation process, the public are invited to make observations and submissions on the Emerging Preferred Scheme for each of the five coastal cell areas. Full details of each Emerging Preferred Scheme, including maps, drawings and the Preliminary Options Selection Reports are available to view and download on this project website. Full details of the optioneering process is documented in the Preliminary Options Selection Reports.
An option selections report will then be finalised detailing the identified preferred scheme for each of the five Coastal Cell Areas with further consultation expected here.
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Once the public consultation process is complete, all feedback and submissions received will be reviewed and assessed as part of the finalisation of the of the Preferred Scheme for public consultation 2. Further public consultation on the preferred scheme will be undertaken in 2025.
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The National Development Plan forecasts a ten-year timeline to complete the project, to manage long term coastal erosion risks to the railway.
Iarnród Éireann is committed to this project to ensure that Ireland protects critical infrastructure into the future, meets its many ambitious long-term national climate change targets; and its commitment to protect and improve public transportation. ECRIPP is provided for in Project Ireland 2040, in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan. Ultimately all projects are dependent on Exchequer funding for financing. Subject to receipt of planning permission approval and approval of the Business Case by Government, the project will go ahead.
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Public participation during the design development process is a key element to the delivery of major infrastructure projects such as ECRIPP. This process allows public feedback to be assessed and used in developing the design with knowledge of all issues.
Information on future public consultations will be updated to the project website
www.irishrail.ie/ecripp. All public consultation launches will be highlighted through in-station posters and a leaflet drop along the project route, briefing of elected representatives, email notification to the project database, targeted digital advertising and advertising in print media and on radio where appropriate.
| Public Consultation 1 |
Date |
Location |
Venue |
| Consultation Event 1 |
19th November 2024 |
Dun Laoghaire |
Royal Marine Hotel |
| Consultation Event 2 |
20th November 2024 |
Bray |
Mermaid Arts Centre |
| Consultation Event 3 |
21st November 2024 |
Wicklow Town |
Spotlight Studios |
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Email: ECRIPPenquiries@irishrail.ie
Post: ECRIPP, Iarnród Éireann Infrastructure, Inchicore Works, Dublin 8, D08 K6Y3
Phone: 01 202 7900
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The majority of works will be carried out seaward of the existing rail corridor.
Some survey work will occur on the line. Every effort will be made to avoid, reduce, and/or mitigate negative impacts, however, there is likely to be some disturbance experienced for those in close proximity to the railway line. We will work to ensure that any such disruption is minimised.
We are currently at an early stage in the project's timeline with an assessment of options currently being undertaken. The types of construction work required at each specific location will determine the type of impact that may affect the area/your property. As the projects proceed any potential impact that may occur will be communicated with the public.
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In some areas it is expected that access to the beach and sea will be temporarily affected during the construction phase. Construction is not due to take place until 2028-2030. We are currently at an early stage in the project's timeline with an assessment of options currently being undertaken. As the projects proceed any potential impact that may occur will be communicated with the public.
A dedicated Community Public Liaison Officer will be put in place to communicate details of upcoming works and every potential mitigation will be put in place to minimise the disruption that may occur. To contact the CPLO please email
ecrippenquiries@irishrail.ie.
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ECRIPP is seeking to deliver enhanced climate resilience to the existing railway infrastructure whilst protecting where possible the existing heritage of the railway. In order to achieve these certain interventions may be required that will impact on specific structures. We are currently at an early stage in the project's timeline with an assessment of options currently being undertaken.
The project team will consider the architectural heritage of all structures in the options assessments and physical interventions to these heritage structures will only be undertaken where absolutely necessary. In most cases works will be confined to the railway line and works will be restricted as much as possible to avoid any potential impact on these structures.
Any heritage interactions will involve input and consultation with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.
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ECRIPP will deliver enhanced coastal protection to the existing railway infrastructure on the rail network between Dublin and Wicklow. Delivery of ECRIPP will support the existing communities along the railway, support future sustainable development and retain the railway for future generations.
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ECRIPP is a railway infrastructure protection project and will focus on the railway corridor specifically and where this is impacted by coastal erosion and climate change effects.
The scope of ECRIPP is to deliver coastal protection measures to protect the railway from further coastal erosion, coastal cliff instability and wave overtopping that is due to increase in frequency and severity as a result of climate change.
Under the National Development Plan, Iarnród Éireann is currently undertaking a range of projects, as well as essential maintenance, right across our lines.
Iarnród Éireann will continue to undertake routine maintenance and remedial works in key areas along the east coast rail line. To view a list of upcoming line improvement works and visit https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/irishrail-engineering-works.
Iarnród Éireann will engage and collaborate with key stakeholders such as the Office of Public Works, Environmental Protection Agency, Local Authorities and relevant Government Departments on wider coastal erosions protection projects along the east coast.
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The majority of works will be carried out within or seaward of the existing rail corridor owned by IÉ. Some access to third party lands will be required in some coastal cell areas.
Where access is required through/on private land, contact will be made with the relevant landowner and permission will be sought for access. Construction phase of the projects are not expected to commence until 2028-2030.
A dedicated Community Public Liaison Officer will be put in place to communicate with any landowners that may be affected. To contact the CPLO please email ecrippenquiries@irishrail.ie.
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DART+ Coastal South is an independent project of ECRIPP. Non Statutory public consultation on DART+ Coastal South will take place this winter. The commencement of construction of ECRIPP, subject to planning being granted and funding being allocated will not impact ECRIPP’s progress. For more information on DART+ Coastal South please visit
dartplus.ie.
The construction phase for ECRIPP is not expected to commence until 2028- 2030.
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The DART+ Coastal Projects are currently at an early stage in the project's timeline with an assessment of options currently being undertaken. As the projects proceed, two stages of non-statutory public stakeholder engagement will be conducted prior to the lodgement of the Railway Order applications. More information on DART+ Coastal Projects visit
https://www.dartplus.ie/en-ie/projects/dart-coastal-south
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The project team would like to hear your views on ECRIPP Emerging Preferred Scheme for each of the coastal cell areas. The consultation period is now open, full details including closing dates for receipt of submissions are available on the ECRIPP website.
Website:
ECRIPP Public Consultation 1 – Emerging Preferred Scheme
Email:
ecrippenquiries@irishrail.ie
Phone line: 01 202 7900
Postal Address: If you would prefer to write to us, please send correspondence to:
ECRIPP,
Engineering and New Works Building,
Iarnród Éireann,
Inchicore Works,
Dublin 8,
D08 K6Y3
Project Funding
Iarnród Éireann is committed to this project to ensure that critical infrastructure is protected and we meet the ambitious long-term national climate change targets and commitment to protect and improve public transportation in line with Iarnród Éireann’s Strategy.
ECRIPP is funded by the Department of Transport, through the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040. Iarnród Éireann is committed to this project and it is provided for in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan.
Ultimately all projects are dependent on Exchequer funding for financing. Subject to receipt of planning permission approval and approval of the Business Case by Government, the project will go ahead.
Project Sponsors
ECRIPP is being implemented by Iarnród Éireann as part of Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Programme.
Project Sponsors include:
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Contact Us
The project team can be contacted by emailing by;
Phone: 01 202 7900
Email: ecrippenquires@irishrail.ie
Post:
ECRIPP
Engineering & New Works Building,
Iarnród Éireann,
Inchicore Works,
Dublin 8 D08 K6Y3
