Public Consultation on major climate resilience programme for Eastern coast rail line to begin
06 November 2024
East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects will future proof the eastern seaboard rail corridor
Iarnród Éireann’s major climate resilience programme to protect major sections of the Dublin to Rosslare rail line from the effects of climate change is about to begin. Non-Statutory Public Consultation begins on Wednesday 6th November on the emerging preferred option for the East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) and runs until 4th December.
The projects have been developed to provide improved coastal protection against current and predicted climate change effects of sea level rise and coastal erosion on the east coast railway corridor between Merrion Gates in Co Dublin and Wicklow Harbour.
Iarnród Éireann wants to hear from those living along the route and who have an interest in the area about the proposed plan as this local knowledge will contribute to the ongoing design of the projects.
The Dublin to Wicklow section of the east coast railway is a critical part of the Iarnród Éireann rail network, with southside DART, Gorey commuter and Rosslare Europort Intercity services operating along this scenic route. ECRIPP will deliver the necessary enhanced coastal protection to the existing railway infrastructure in several key locations on this section of the rail network.
Iarnród Éireann has first-hand experience of the impacts of climate change on railway infrastructure on the east coast. 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 of land, and incursions to such levels that the railway line between Dublin and Wicklow is vulnerable to further loss due to coastal erosion. This rate of loss will increase in line with climate change, as storm frequency and intensity increases due to climate change.
In recent years Iarnród Éireann has seen an increase in the frequency of storm events because 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 east coast rail line and supporting infrastructure. The effects of the storm events, and the resulting works, have the potential to see increasing disruption to existing services.
The key sections, termed Coastal Cell Areas (CCA), of the coastal railway south of Dublin to Wicklow are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of coastal erosion, coastal flooding, wave overtopping and cliff instability - all of which are expected to increase both in frequency and severity in future years. These five Coastal Cell Areas make up ECRIPP, and 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 South to Newcastle
- CCA6.2: Newcastle to Wicklow
Each CCA is a standalone project as part of ECRIPP to address coastal erosion on the east coast railway corridor. Under the public consultation, Iarnród Éireann is detailing the emerging preferred option for each CCA to give interested parties the opportunity to comment.
Each CCA will be taken forward as a separate planning application submission and the programme for delivery may vary between the CCAs. ECRIPP is funded by the Department of Transport, through the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040 and is provided for in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan.
Anne Graham, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority said: “The East Coast Infrastructure Protection Projects are a key programme of works designed to the protect the railway services along the Southeastern Line from the impact of Climate Change. It’s very positive to see the project being progressed to this stage, and I would encourage people to engage in the consultation process.”
Speaking at the commencement of the public consultation, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade said: “The threat of climate change is real for all of us, but for us in the railway it presents unique challenges, particularly on the eastern coastal route. ECRIPP will provide infrastructure protection works that will futureproof this section of the railway for generations to come, but to provide the best possible solution we want to hear from our neighbours and those that enjoy the coastal amenities along this route and I would urge as many people as possible to give us their feedback”.
For more information on the project, please visit www.irishrail.ie/ECRIPP
In person information evenings on the project will take place at the following locations. All are welcome .
- Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on 19th of November from 15:00hrs to 19:00hrs.
- Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray on 20th November from 15:00hrs to 19:00hrs.
- Spotlight Studios, Wicklow on 21st November from 15:00hrs to 19:00hrs.