Missing link on northside S2S Dublin Bay cycle route due to be finished in February 2017

A missing link on the S2S cycling and walking route on the northside of Dublin is to be no more once construction is finished in February 2017.

Or, at least, February is the latest in a long line of due dates for the construction to be finished on the project, which also includes the installation of trunk watermain, drainage and flood / coastal defence wall. The latest date was presented to city councillors in a report before the last monthly council meeting.

Once finished there will be a continuous two-way cycle path of nearly 10km, stretching from Fairview Park just north of the East Wall Road / Alfie Byrne Road junction to the Dublin Road just before Sutton.

The route will most likely be the longest continuous segregated cycle route in Dublin. Because it’s along the coast, it will only have three notable road crossings. One at its eastern starting point where it crosses the Alfie Byrne Road and the other two at the access points to Bull Island.

The route would have went further into the city centre, but, after local campaigning, city councillors in 2011 pushed officials not to proceed with a link between the Alfie Byrne Road and the north Docklands via the Royal Canal. As we reported back in 2011, the councillors objecting left the council to forfeit €4 million of funding for that project.

Some of the delay in the current project includes local objection to the finishings of the wall and height of the coastal wall, with locals complaining they would not be able to see the views of Dublin Bay from their cars while driving by.

The project is officially named the “S2S Cycle & Footway Interim Scheme” because an earlier and grander design which would have included an expensive boardwalk is not going ahead at this time. The latest project instead makes use of the space behind the coastal wall by narrowing the roadway.

We also understand that options to progress the S2S route on the southside are due to be made public in the near future.

IMAGE: Construction work ongoing on the missing link. Image thanks to Kevin O’Farrell.


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1 comment

  1. Gawd almighty this cycleway is taking forever and a day……

    And as for the idiots protesting about the wall reconstruction, you all should have a look at the videos put up on U-tube complaining about the whole scheme. The basis of their complaint is that the wall will obstruct their view of the bay as they drive along (it won’t, except marginally in maybe one spot).

    They say in their videos that the beautiful nature of the area will be ruined by the wall. The irony on this issue was never more stark, due to the fact that the person presenting the video and complaining about the construction was standing in front of heavy motor traffic which was drowning out everything due to the noise. And also let’s not forget the constant danger from the traffic itself, and the pollution. ffs.

    COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN because I can’t see out of my car (they can) but ignore the fact that bloody cars ruin any semblance of a nature reserve in the area. The whole of that sea-front area could be a wonderful and world-class nature reserve within the city limits of our capital city, easily accessible by walking and bike and rail links, if only we got rid of the cars. Even if for only one day a week.

    Reply

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