Bray Head to Greystones North Beach
The Bray Head and Greystones North Beach project is divided into two sections. The first section, Bray Head, spans approximately 4 km of hard rock coastline from Naylor's Cove to the southern exit of Tunnel 3. It includes intermittent coastal defences and three tunnels.
The second section, Greystones North Beach, covers approximately 3 km of predominantly soft cliff coastline from Tunnel 3 to Greystones Harbour Marina and includes one tunnel. This section has experienced cliff instability and erosion, resulting in parts of the railway being rerouted inland through tunnels
The primary hazards in both sections include cliff instability above and below the railway, undermining of coastal defences, and beach erosion. These issues increase the coastline's vulnerability to further hazards.
Project Objectives
The objectives of this project are:
- To protect existing masonry structures that span bedrock gullies or support embankments at Bray Head. Although these structures are currently sound, they are not sufficient to protect the railway from the combined effects of rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
- At Greystones North Beach, the goal is to control the rapid erosion of soft cliffs, which could threaten sections of the railway within the next 50 years. whilst also allowing the remaining cliffed coastline to erode naturally, eventually forming a stable bay that will provide natural protection to the remaining railway line.
Preferred Scheme
The preferred scheme involves constructing rock revetments to protect vulnerable railway infrastructure from wave impact and erosion.
Bray Head
At Bray Head, the railway runs along cliffs supported by masonry and rock structures. Rock revetments using 6-10 tonne armour rock will be placed on existing rock platforms, with a gravel layer beneath, to reinforce and protect these structures.
Figure 1: Illustrative view of proposed rock revetment at Naylors Cove
Greystones North Beach
At Greystones North Beach, earlier designs with detached rock headlands were revised for safety and access. Instead, two revetments will be built directly against the cliff to maintain beach access and protect the railway. These will use large armour rock with an underlayer.
Figure 2: Illustrative view looking south along Greystones North Beach
Useful Material and Downloads
- Preferred Scheme for Bray Head to Greystones North Beach Brochure
- Bray Head to Greystones North Beach Location Plan 1
- Bray Head to Greystones North Beach Location Plan 2
- llustrative view of proposed rock revetment at Naylors Cove
- Illustrative view looking south along Greystones North Beach
- Brayhead to Greystones North Beach (Coastal Cell Area 5) Phase 3 Design Report
