East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects ECRIPP
ECRIPP 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.
ECRIPP 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 ECRIPP 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;
Key Locations
Five key locations have been assessed as requiring protection to increase resilience to coastal erosion as a result of climate change. These five locations have been assessed as they have experienced incursions to such levels that existing infrastructure is at risk due to coastal erosion. Each location is being delivered as a standalone project through design, planning and construction.
These five locations are;
- Merrion Gates to Seapoint Beach
- Whiterock Beach to South Kiliney
- Bray Head to Greystones North Beach
- Kilcoole to Newcastle
- Newcastle to Wicklow Murrough
Click here for an Accessible version of the ECRIPP Coastal Cell Areas map
Where are we now?
We are currently in Phase 3 Preliminary Design. All feedback received from Public Consultation 1 has been considered; to advance the design through to Public Consultation 2 where we will now present the Preferred Scheme for each of the five key locations.
We have carried out several surveys to inform the schemes. These surveys covered non-intrusive ecological surveys, topographic surveys and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys. We have also undertaken a ground investigation survey to inform the design close to the rail line.
Please see link to AA Screening Declaration relating to the ground investigation survey.
Public Consultation 2
For Public Consultation 2 stakeholders are invited to make observations and submissions on the Preferred Scheme for each location.
Full details of each Preferred Scheme, including maps, drawings and the Phase 3 Design Reports are available to view and download below through each project website.
Project Locations
How to Engage
Your participation and feedback are an essential part of the design and assessment process. Your local knowledge will inform the design, ensuring it will be a beneficial for you and the local communities as well as delivering the necessary enhanced coastal protection to the existing railway infrastructure.
Please contact us via the following means:
Email: ecrippenquiries@irishrail.ie
Phone line: 01 202 7900
If you would prefer to write to us, please send it or any correspondence to:
ECRIPP
Engineering & New Works Building,
Iarnród Éireann,
Inchicore Works,
Dublin 8 D08 K6Y3
Alternatively, please provide your feedback by completing the Feedback Form.
In-person Events
We are holding a series of in-person consultation events and webinars to present the Preferred Scheme for each project:
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Date
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Location
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Time
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Monday 22nd September
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Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
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14:00hrs to 19:00hrs
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Tuesday 23rd September
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Bray Town Hall
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14:00hrs to 19:00hrs
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Wednesday 24th September
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Greystones Library, Greystones
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14:00hrs to 19:00hrs
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Thursday 25th September
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An Tairseach Ecology Centre, Wicklow town
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14:00hrs to 19:00hrs
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Wednesday 1st October
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Microsoft Teams
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10:30hrs to 11:30hrs
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ECRIPP Public Consultation Webinar
Iarnród Éireann is inviting public feedback on the Preferred Scheme as part of Public Consulation 2. This is an opportunity for communities and stakeholders to share their views on the proposed coastal protection measures.
Next Steps
Following a full appraisal of the feedback, a Consultation Findings Report on Public Consultation 2 will be prepared and published.
All information gathered by the project team will be used to finalise the design development of the preferred scheme for each project. The preferred scheme will then be the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) as part of the planning application. There will be a statutory consultation period run by An Coimisiún Pleanála where the public will be invited, via public notices, to make submissions, directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála which the commission will consider in its decision-making process.
ECRIPP - FAQs
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The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) were established by Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail (IÉ) to provide improved coastal protection against predicted climate change effects of sea level rise and coastal erosion on the railway corridor.
ECRIPP aims to deliver improved coastal protection measures to the railway infrastructure, addressing vulnerabilities related to coastal erosion, wave overtopping and cliff instability that are projected to worsen due to climate change. To improve resilience, the Projects will be designed to withstand a 1 in 200-year return period event, for a minimum of 50 years (i.e. to year 2075).
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The impacts of coastal erosion on the East Coast of Ireland from Dublin to Wicklow are increasingly evident with beaches and cliffs slowly being lost on an annual basis. This rate of loss will increase in line with sea level rise and storm frequency/intensity increases. Some areas along the East Coast railway line have seen encroachment through the loss of coast of up to 20 to 30 meters in the last ten 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 Projects enable the protection of a key transport corridor along the East Coast. Protecting this important transport infrastructure from the effects of climate change allows the safe operation of the DART and Intercity services for passengers and provides a sustainable transport option.
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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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Through previous studies conducted by IÉ, five key locations (termed coastal cell areas) along a 65km route have been identified and assessed as particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion and climate change effects on existing rail infrastructure.
The five key locations are as follows:
- Merrion Gates to Seapoint Beach
- Whiterock Beach to South Killiney
- Bray Head to Greystones North Beach
- Kilcoole to Newcastle
- Newcastle to Wicklow Murrough
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Some sections of the coastal railway between 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 key locations have been assessed as they have experienced recent incursions to such levels that existing railway infrastructure is at risk of disruption due to coastal erosion or wave overtopping due to climate change.
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Public Consultation 1 took place in November 2024 on the Emerging Preferred Scheme. The Project Team has considered all feedback received, to advance the design through to Public Consultation 2, where we will present the Preferred Scheme for each project.
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After Public Consultation 2, all feedback will be reviewed and used to help finalise the Preferred Scheme. A Consultation Findings Report will be published to document the feedback received. Next steps include continued design development and option refinement, which will inform the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Appropriate Assessment and other documentation in support of the statutory planning process for the Projects.
Stakeholders will be afforded the opportunity to engage on the Projects again at this point through the statutory stakeholder engagement process.
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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.
IÉ are committed to the Projects 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. The Projects are 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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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. The Project will be undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment which will identify the potential for impacts, and it will identify mitigation measures required to reduce the impact insofar as reasonably practicable.
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In some areas, temporary rerouting of access to the beach and sea is expected during the construction phase, which is scheduled to begin in 2029. As the projects progress, any potential impacts will be clearly communicated to the public.
A dedicated Community Public Liaison Officer will be appointed to provide updates on upcoming works and to engage directly with local residents and beach users.
Existing access to the beach will be retained as part of the permanent works, or an equivalent alternative will be provided.
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The Projects are 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.
The Project Team will consider the architectural heritage of all structures throughout the design and environmental assessments. Physical interventions to these heritage structures will only be undertaken where absolutely necessary.
Any heritage interactions will involve input and consultation with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.
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The Projects will deliver enhanced coastal protection to the existing railway infrastructure on the rail network between Dublin and Wicklow. Delivery of this project will support the existing communities along the railway, support future sustainable development and retain the railway for future generations.
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The Projects are 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 the Projects are to deliver coastal protection measures to protect the railway from further coastal erosion, coastal cliff instability and wave overtopping that will increase in frequency and severity as a result of climate change.
Under the National Development Plan, IÉ is currently undertaking a range of projects, as well as essential maintenance, right across our lines.
IÉ 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
IÉ 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 locations.
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 2029-2030.
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 a project independent of ECRIPP. 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 2029- 2030.
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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
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As part of the statutory process, the Projects will be subject to an environmental assessment, and it is foreseen that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and an Appropriate Assessment will accompany the planning submissions. These assessments will identify any potential for environmental impacts and will include mitigation measures to reduce the potential impact insofar as reasonably practicable.
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The Murroughs have been identified as one of the areas at greatest risk of coastal erosion and flooding. At this location, a new section of rock revetment will be constructed. This revetment will help absorb wave energy and prevent further erosion of the coastline.
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At Seapoint, the proposed Project includes installing a new wall in place of the existing fence line along the railway boundary. In addition, the seaward walls will be raised by approximately 1.0 – 1.5m but the footpath behind the wall will also be raised to reduce the visual impact of the wall raising. This increase is necessary to address wave overtopping during storm events and to prepare for future sea level rise.
Where existing walls are in poor condition, they will be rebuilt from ground level with reinforced concrete. The design also includes raised walkways and steps to maintain public access and amenity use, while ensuring safety and accessibility
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The Projects primary focus is on coastal protection for railway infrastructure, addressing erosion, flooding, and climate-related risks. While public access and visual impact are considered, especially in areas such as Whiterock and Killiney, the Projects do not include the creation of dedicated walking or cycling paths as part of its final design.
Local Authority projects may explore opportunities to enhance walking and cycling connectivity in areas adjacent to the railway, especially where public interest and environmental conditions allow.
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Whiterock Beach is part of the Whiterock to South Killiney section, an area especially vulnerable due to its proximity to the sea and the presence of critical railway infrastructure. The proposed design includes a rock revetment to protect the existing wall and embankment from wave damage and erosion. The footprint of rock revetment has been reduced as much as possible to minimise impact on the beach. However, access to Whiterock Beach around The Bluff will be reduced around high tide levels compared to the existing access.
At Killiney and South Killiney, the design enhances beach access and visual appeal by replacing wave walls with steps and ramps. The Preferred Scheme aims not only to safeguard the railway but also to preserve the beach’s character and maintain public access, while minimizing environmental and visual impacts.
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Upgrades to the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk do not form part of the Projects. Any works to the walking trail itself are being handled separately by Wicklow County Council. Iarnród Éireann are engaging with Wicklow County Council’s efforts to maintain the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk.
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 and is co-funded by the EU Connecting Europe Facility fund. 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: ecrippenquiries@irishrail.ie
Post:
ECRIPP
Engineering & New Works Building,
Iarnród Éireann,
Inchicore Works,
Dublin 8 D08 K6Y3
