Liffey Cycle Route: Over 1,200 submissions received

Over 1,200 members of the public or groups made submissions on options for a protected Liffey Cycle Route along Dublin City’s quays.

The submissions are to be compiled and presented to the Dublin City Council traffic and transport committee in September.

“Dublin City Council received over 1,200 submissions for its recent non-statutory public consultation on the proposed Liffey Cycle Corridor options. The council is currently analysing these submissions and intends to submit a Report on the Consultation to its Transportation Strategic Policy Committee meeting in September,” said Paul Heffernan, a spokesman for Dublin City Council.

The public were able to vote on three variants of protected and continuous two-way cycle paths on the riverside of the north quays; one option of narrower, partly protected and less-continuous cycle paths on the building side on both north and south quays; and an option of none of the above.

Heffernan added: “This report will be followed by the development of a preferred option. The preferred option will then be developed into a design that will be subject to a public consultation process.”

The Liffey Cycle Route has already been years in planning. It was kickstarted after it was included in the Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017, which was adopted in December 2010 and is now in the process of being replaced.

The Development Plan is the key planning policy for the city, it states: “It is an objective of Dublin City Council: …To achieve the following critical linkages within the lifetime of the development plan… To provide a continuous cycleway connecting the Phoenix Park and Heuston Station to the proposed S2S route along the city’s quays in consultation with the Office of Public Works”

The plan also made cycling for all ages a goal for the city: “The vision for cycling is to make Dublin a city where people of all ages and abilities have the confidence, incentive and facilities to cycle so that by 2017, 25-30% of all new commutes within the city will be by bike.”

Coverage of the back story:

• March 2015: Ireland’s cycling sporting body appeals to 22k members to support Liffey Cycle Route
• March 2015: Why #3 is the best of the Liffey Cycle Route options — but it needs some reworking
• March 2015: Feedback open on Liffey Cycle Route for Dublin’s quays
• March 2015: 12 reasons why the Liffey Cycle Route should be supported
• February 2015: Majority of businesses objecting to Liffey Cycle Route own car parks
• February 2015: Public to have say on four options for Liffey Cycle Route
• February 2015: Dublin City manager says quays cycle path will help traffic flow
• February 2015: High-end retailer “horrified” that Liffey Cycle Route will take space from motorists
• October 2014: Motor traffic to be moved away from quays near Heuston Station
• June 2014: Brown Thomas against quays cycle route; wants cheap parking but licenses its name to car park charging more than city council
• June 2013: Want a better cycling experience in Dublin? Here’s how a newspaper can hinder progress
• June 2014: Quays cycle route delay to leave DublinBikes users unprotected for years
• June 2014: Dublin City does not have to apologise for quays plan, manager tells newspaper
• January 2014: Liffey Cycle Route: Construction could start next year
• January 2014: Consultation continues on Liffey cycle route
• September 2013: Proposed cycle routes into Dublin City Centre
• September 2013: Proposed strategic greenways in Greater Dublin
• August 2013: 66% of Dublin politicians support changing quays for cycle route
• June 2012: “We have to do” quays cycle route – senior Dublin engineer
• November 2011: Dutch-style cycle path on Dublin’s quays?
• December 2010: Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017 adopted (see above)