Bray Seafront Flooded

Thargor

No thread? Pretty major event I would have thought, water and stones still pouring over the walls at 15:30 this afternoon.











I heard the worst gust of wind Ive ever heard in my life at about 5 am this morning, could hear the rafters over my head screeching, more to come aswell according to the Weather forum.

Tombo2001

Crazy photos, especially the stones up on the path.

Alun

Wow! Comes as a complete surprise to me ... I didn't hear anything like that up here (near Ardmore Studios) and I haven't been down there today.

insomniac86

I hear this weather is supposed to continue during the week. I should of known that the peaceful weather we got through the end of the year would have some sort of catch to it. Hopefully the seafront doesn't get worse. My thoughts go out to people living on the Strand Road.

Thargor

Kicking myself that I only had a camera phone on me, I went up Bray Head from the Southern Cross side and didn't know what I was looking at for a second when I looked down, it looked like a total disaster zone and nobody mentioned it on the radio or anything, didnt capture any views from the head or how massive the waves were before my battery went:

Annasopra

None of these images are opening on my phone

Thargor

All good in Chrome/IE and FF, no clue sorry, heres an Imgur album of them:

http://imgur.com/a/1Rz6K

nicnac

Woah! Thanks for sharing. Was that the area up by the amusements?

EB_2013

That photo with the stones on the path is crazy, looks like the whole beach has been shifted.

pixbyjohn

Super photos and thank you for sharing.

Maudi

Wow..what a clean up .great to see the "flood defence" (snicker) workin so well..

murpho999

Maudi wrote: »

Wow..what a clean up .great to see the "flood defence" (snicker) workin so well..

Did you ever think that the flooding my have been worse without it?(snigger).

Maudi

murpho999 wrote: »

Did you ever think that the flooding my have been worse without it?(snigger).

Worse? Like. have you seen the flooding?
How much more "worse"would you like it?

murpho999

Maudi wrote: »

Worse? Like. have you seen the flooding?
How much more "worse"would you like it?

Well, years ago stormy weather would cause regular flooding along the whole seafront which is not the case this time and it could also have been deeper.

B0jangles

murpho999 wrote: »

Well, years ago stormy weather would cause regular flooding along the whole seafront which is not the case this time and it could also have been deeper.

Agree 100%.

I've lived on Bray Seafront for more than 30 years and the seafront protection works have not only greatly reduced the regularity and severity of flooding events (anyone else remember seeing kayakers paddling about on the road beside the Aquarium?) , they've also had the minor but very nice side effect of providing year-round protection from salt damage to our garden. Plants we could never have grown before now thrive because the salt from autumn and winter gales doesn't travels nearly as far up from the beach.

I will say that the status of the defences need to be reviewed - this winter's stoms have caused the beach to change shape very dramatically so there may well be work to be done to repair the changes.

Edit: This is where the sea used to hit every winter at the north end:

zoobizoo

Maudi wrote: »

Worse? Like. have you seen the flooding?
How much more "worse"would you like it?

These waves were caused by a massive swell from the south which is very unusual.

For the last number of years the stones and defence system have protected the seafront.

If it hadn't been there, the power of the waves could have eroded away the promenade - just see the photos of Lahinch, Tramore etc etc, and the sea would have caused much more damage.

Thargor

The council were sandbagging the gates of the private properties up the south end of the beach at lunch today, wonder if they're expecting more flooding. They were sealing loads of cars in aswell.

B0jangles

Seems very unlikely that there will be more flooding, it's almost high water already and it's nowhere near coming over the top. Plus the high tide has dropped back to 4.1 metres, compared to 4.6 later last week, and 4.3 yesterday.

Alun

That's good news! What's the state of the defences, i.e. the big bank of pebbles? It was looking pretty bad even before the recent storms with a steep drop from the promenade level down to the beach where it had been more gradual before.

B0jangles

The middle section (at the breakwater) is probably the worst affected; the beach has been eaten away right up to the prom. There used to be a good 15-20 foot level area before it dropped down steeply to the lower beach level - that whole upper area is pretty much gone at the moment.

The North end is not as bad - the overall shape of the place has changed a good bit but there is still a decent area of higher beach between us and the sea.

Edit: there are a couple of JCBs at work right now on the area at the middle breakwater.

Edit2: Have a picture of the prom this morning

Alun

Time to invest in companies selling pebbles methinks

B0jangles

This is what the north end of the seafront was like at high water yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1B-KzSe_dY&feature=youtu.be

That's not even a particularly big wave, just one I happened to catch. The really big ones came all the way across the gravel and over the low wall into the car-park.

Annasopra

B0jangles wrote: »

This is what the north end of the seafront was like at high water yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1B-KzSe_dY&feature=youtu.be

That's not even a particularly big wave, just one I happened to catch. The really big ones came all the way across the gravel and over the low wall into the car-park.

That's nothing as big as this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQsD3c9j-dA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIQsD3c9j-dA&app=desktop

B0jangles

mango salsa wrote: »

That's nothing as big as this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQsD3c9j-dA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIQsD3c9j-dA&app=desktop

Jesus Christ that's monster!

Thargor

B0jangles wrote: »

Seems very unlikely that there will be more flooding, it's almost high water already and it's nowhere near coming over the top. Plus the high tide has dropped back to 4.1 metres, compared to 4.6 later last week, and 4.3 yesterday.

Thats what I thought but they're there with a truck today building big sandbag walls across the front gates of those brightly coloured houses you can see in my video on the previous page, no clue why.

Oleta

Fantastic photo!

Judgement Day

B0jangles wrote: »

The middle section (at the breakwater) is probably the worst affected; the beach has been eaten away right up to the prom. There used to be a good 15-20 foot level area before it dropped down steeply to the lower beach level - that whole upper area is pretty much gone at the moment.

The North end is not as bad - the overall shape of the place has changed a good bit but there is still a decent area of higher beach between us and the sea.

Edit: there are a couple of JCBs at work right now on the area at the middle breakwater.

Edit2: Have a picture of the prom this morning

Got to love the way Bray UDC look after the wonderful Victorian seating. :rolleyes:

zoobizoo

Judgement Day wrote: »

Got to love the way Bray UDC look after the wonderful Victorian seating. :rolleyes:

I think it gets painted once a year once winter is over, no?

trad

I was hoping to go to the trad session in the Hibernian Hotel tonite, then again it is up a bit of a hill from the seafront

Alun

zoobizoo wrote: »

I think it gets painted once a year once winter is over, no?

Some of the seat backs seem to have kept their paint better than others for some reason.

Actually what bugs me is the gaps where some seat backs are missing. It shouldn't be too difficult to take one off, make a mould and cast a few replacements. It would make a nice project for a metalwork class at a school or college somewhere. And while they're at it they could do the same thing and replace the broken torch / light holders on either side of the gaps in the wall where the paths lead out over the grass too.

Judgement Day

zoobizoo wrote: »

I think it gets painted once a year once winter is over, no?

Well, from the picture I'm not sure how much of the cast iron seating backing is in place - perhaps a resident of Bray can help - but in the good old days there was a comfy timber seat running the full length of the seating. The awful light standards are completely out of keeping with the original ambience - not to mention the Normandy gun emplacements - and perhaps it would best if the sea took out the whole prom some night.

Alun

There's a good contiguous section of it still intact, but with a few gaps of one or two. I've never known the wooden seating being there but then I've only been here 12 years.

As for the light standards, I didn't like them at the start, but as the wood has mellowed to a silvery grey I've gotten to quite like them actually Plus purely from a functional pov, as lights they work very well, casting a uniform diffuse light with vey little upward light pollution. TBH the worst bit is the sellotape glue marks left by someone plastering Missing Person notices all over them at one time.

As for the gun emplacements, these were built to last. You'd probably be hard pushed to demolish them without causing some serious damage to the surrounding area.

Judgement Day

I've been out of Bray since 1989 and the seats backs had been disappearing for years before that - likewise the half smashed light columns at the steps. The timber seating which was still very much intact in the late 1960s was also allowed to gradually disappear. The UDC have a truly awful record when it comes to maintenance. The original turquoise blue and orange paint scheme on the railings and seatbacks was much more striking than the present back and red.



I still visit the town every couple of years but it only depresses me now.

Calibos

For someone thats been out of the town for a quarter of a century you don't half pop in here often to keep knocking the place.

Judgement Day

Calibos wrote: »

For someone thats been out of the town for a quarter of a century you don't half pop in here often to keep knocking the place.

I drop in whenever something interests me - got a problem with that? I sometimes post positive things about Bray but I see precious little about the town in that respect. I call things as I see them - better than being an ostrich. Add me to your ignore list if I upset you that much.

B0jangles

I have to say, I prefer the new navy blue and dark orange colour scheme for the railings on the promenade; the old pale blue and bright orange always looks a bit tacky IMO.

Alun

Are there any records indicating what colour they were when first installed back in the day? If not then I agree, the old colours looked a bit, well odd, and I prefer the new dark blue / red scheme over the old turquoise / orange one.

zoobizoo

Judgement Day wrote: »

I drop in whenever something interests me - got a problem with that? I sometimes post positive things about Bray but I see precious little about the town in that respect. .

From your criticism of the town, I was under the impression that you were a resident.

There are many positive and interesting things going on in the town... and there's a great sense of that when you live here.

The UDC replaced a large section of the back seats last year or the year before.

Maudi

My understanding of the replacement of the seat backs and from the enquiries ive made the U.D.C in its never ending commitment to the shop local etos have decided to source metal seat backs from....china..

Judgement Day

zoobizoo wrote: »

From your criticism of the town, I was under the impression that you were a resident.

There are many positive and interesting things going on in the town... and there's a great sense of that when you live here.

The UDC replaced a large section of the back seats last year or the year before.

A former resident but not that that makes any difference. Can you tell me of some of the positives and I'll check them out on my next visit.

zoobizoo

Judgement Day wrote: »

A former resident but not that that makes any difference. Can you tell me of some of the positives and I'll check them out on my next visit.

You don't live here, you don't visit yet you feel the need to come on and criticise the town ....... sheesh. Where do you live now that is better?

The whole place is a positive. I've lived on 4 different continents and Bray is where I choose to make my home.

Theatre
Art House Cinema
Great Pubs
New restaurants
Promenade, Bray Head, Cliff Walk
Close to Dublin and close to the countryside
Summerfest, AirShow
St Patricks Festival Week
Jazz Festival Weekend
Gospel Festival
Groove Festival
Kilruddery House and Gardens
Sports Clubs (GAA, football, tennis, etc etc etc)
Good coffee shops (and most reasonably priced coffee in a coffee shop in Ireland)
Two new bakeries
Two art Galleries

Plus, lots of interesting people. Maybe you need to just live here to appreciate it.

tomflynn

Maudi wrote: »

My understanding of the replacement of the seat backs and from the enquiries ive made the U.D.C in its never ending commitment to the shop local etos have decided to source metal seat backs from....china..

You can read the full story here. Unfortunately no Irish foundry could replicate the decorative pattern.
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/news/seat-backs-replaced-at-bray-promenade-10-years-on-29338501.html

In fact, the investments made by the town council over the last few years on the seafront - repairs to bandstand, kiosks, new public lighting, upgraded toilets, restored seat backs, make it a lovely place to walk. That is why it is always busy.

As regards good things going on/happening in Bray, the economy in Bray is, I think, starting to improve with some new outlets filling up a good few previously vacant units on the main street over the last 6-9 months in particular. Given the arrival of Lidl and Aldi, the only thing that is missing at present in my opinion is a cineplex and town centre shopping centre with an anchor department store and some fashion stores/boutiques across the price ranges. Other than that, given Bray's proximity to Dublin, there are not many other amenities/services one could expect (I am sure there are a few - no need to list them). It actually has great amenities and services but needs to reclaim its spot as a retail destination within Co. Wicklow. Now that the town council has taken over the florentine site, hopefully this can be realised with a suitable partner.

Judgement Day

zoobizoo wrote: »

You don't live here, you don't visit yet you feel the need to come on and criticise the town ....... sheesh. Where do you live now that is better?

The whole place is a positive. I've lived on 4 different continents and Bray is where I choose to make my home.

Theatre
Art House Cinema
Great Pubs
New restaurants
Promenade, Bray Head, Cliff Walk
Close to Dublin and close to the countryside
Summerfest, AirShow
St Patricks Festival Week
Jazz Festival Weekend
Gospel Festival
Groove Festival
Kilruddery House and Gardens
Sports Clubs (GAA, football, tennis, etc etc etc)
Good coffee shops (and most reasonably priced coffee in a coffee shop in Ireland)
Two new bakeries
Two art Galleries

Plus, lots of interesting people. Maybe you need to just live here to appreciate it.

You really need to read what I post rather than what you think I post. I am a former resident of the town (1960-1989) approx. and I DO visit from time to time but find it depressing when I remember how it used to be.

The various festivals aside and there's little that wasn't always there - Bray Head etc.etc. but what is there has got very run down. I never claimed to live somewhere better as this isn't a willy waving exercise or is it?

Maudi

tomflynn wrote: »

You can read the full story here. Unfortunately no Irish foundry could replicate the decorative pattern.
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/news/seat-backs-replaced-at-bray-promenade-10-years-on-29338501.html

In fact, the investments made by the town council over the last few years on the seafront - repairs to bandstand, kiosks, new public lighting, upgraded toilets, restored seat backs, make it a lovely place to walk. That is why it is always busy.

As regards good things going on/happening in Bray, the economy in Bray is, I think, starting to improve with some new outlets filling up a good few previously vacant units on the main street over the last 6-9 months in particular. Given the arrival of Lidl and Aldi, the only thing that is missing at present in my opinion is a cineplex and town centre shopping centre with an anchor department store and some fashion stores/boutiques across the price ranges. Other than that, given Bray's proximity to Dublin, there are not many other amenities/services one could expect (I am sure there are a few - no need to list them). It actually has great amenities and services but needs to reclaim its spot as a retail destination within Co. Wicklow. Now that the town council has taken over the florentine site, hopefully this can be realised with a suitable partner.

Just as I said..the council outsource the seat backs to china..for xcrists sake...why replace at all..why not do the usual..rip it up like the turkish baths..castle st castle..and the martello tower that was on the beach..

LEIN

zoobizoo wrote: »

You don't live here, you don't visit yet you feel the need to come on and criticise the town ....... sheesh. Where do you live now that is better?

The whole place is a positive. I've lived on 4 different continents and Bray is where I choose to make my home.

Theatre
Art House Cinema
Great Pubs
New restaurants
Promenade, Bray Head, Cliff Walk
Close to Dublin and close to the countryside
Summerfest, AirShow
St Patricks Festival Week
Jazz Festival Weekend
Gospel Festival
Groove Festival
Kilruddery House and Gardens
Sports Clubs (GAA, football, tennis, etc etc etc)
Good coffee shops (and most reasonably priced coffee in a coffee shop in Ireland)
Two new bakeries
Two art Galleries

Plus, lots of interesting people. Maybe you need to just live here to appreciate it.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion here. Play the post not the poster.

Thanks

Judgement Day

There's a serious smell of bs and spin off that article. Any foundry worth a damn could have cast new seat backs using an original as a pattern and if no Irish company could do it I'm 100% positive that an English company would have been delighted with the opportunity.

B0jangles

Maudi wrote: »

Just as I said..the council outsource the seat backs to china..for xcrists sake...why replace at all..why not do the usual..rip it up like the turkish baths..castle st castle..and the martello tower that was on the beach..

So your logic is that it would be better to destroy what's left than replace the missing sections with pieces made in China?

Also this is 2014; the Castle was demolished in 1937, the turkish baths in 1980 after years of dereliction, and the Martello tower was demolished in 1884

Should we just give up on trying to make Bray the best it can be because mistakes were made in the last 150 years?

VVV Oh for heavens' sake, there really is no pleasing some people! VVV

Judgement Day

Will the timber for the seats have to be imported from China or do we have trees in Ireland?

Maudi

Judgement Day wrote: »

Will the timber for the seats have to be imported from China or do we have trees in Ireland?

Ha haha.ha ha...oh dont you know ireland will have the "wrong"type of wood..young obrien who moved down to Antarctica may be able to source it there tho.

Annasopra

B0jangles wrote: »

So your logic is that it would be better to destroy what's left than replace the missing sections with pieces made in China?

Also this is 2014; the Castle was demolished in 1937, the turkish baths in 1980 after years of dereliction, and the Martello tower was demolished in 1884

Should we just give up on trying to make Bray the best it can be because mistakes were made in the last 150 years?

VVV Oh for heavens' sake, there really is no pleasing some people! VVV

I agree I mean seriously who remembers the 1884 tower?

Maudi

mango salsa wrote: »

I agree I mean seriously who remembers the 1884 tower?

Whether you remember the demolition of the tower or not is irrelevant.(judgeing by your statement you have absolutely no appreciation of history or culture id say) The fact that it and other historical buildings can .could and will be demolished by an incompetent local authority is whats worrying..and by going to china to source metal seat backs is almost unbelieveable and backs up their incompetent approach...I cannot accept the best pratice was going how many thousands of miles for replacements?and the same for that crap they paved the main st with..I.i.r.c that was a horrofic price and brought in from china..buy irish me hole..