Dublin City Council has confirmed that the construction of the Dodder Greenway project between Donnybrook Road and Clonskeagh Road — a fast-tracked project aimed at accelerating climate action — has been delayed until at least Q2 2025.
The council said that this delay is due to design changes required after the public consultation. The project’s public consultation was held last year, and it was planned to be in its construction phase by Q3 2024, that is, by the end of September 2024, next month.
The project’s main element is to make more space for cycling by making Beaver Row one-way for motorists, but now one of the main changes planned is a proposal to expand the two-way traffic system on the Clonskeagh Road side of the route up to the David Lloyd Gym project.
At this point, it is unclear how the council proposes to extend the length of two-way traffic access and provide high-quality cycling and walking environments. As the draft design drawings from the original design, it is one of the narrower sections of the route.
Cllr Dermot Lacey (Labour) said that councillors have not seen any details of the revised plans but that his main aim is to have the project progressed.
He said, “I think it would be best to extend the two way for that short stretch as far as David Lloyd Centre. My main aim is that we make progress on this important link in the overall plan, and I will be pushing for this.”
On the day the public consultation for the project started, IrishCycle.com reported how the plans included low-quality shared paths disconnected from other sections of the Dodder route, which only recently opened.
In an update provided to Cllr Lacey, the council’s Active Travel Office said it is seeking to reduce shared space and increase connectivity.
A council official said: “The anticipated start date for construction of the Dodder Greenway from Donnybrook Road to Clonskeagh Road is Q2 2025. The construction timeline has altered due to changes in the design which have arisen from submissions received during the non-statutory Public Consultation.”
The council’s Active Travel Design Office said that it is planning to adust its plans to reduce the use of shared space, extend the two-way system to David Lloyd Gym, improve connectivity along the Dodder Greenway, and coordinate with Eirgrid on the installation of high-voltage cable ducting.
It said that the planned improved connectivity was to be included at both ends of the route, at the junction of Clonskeagh Road and Beech Hill Road and the junction of Donnybrook Road and Beaver Row.
“In order to progress the Detailed Design for this section, stakeholder engagement, topographical surveys and ground investigation works are ongoing,” an official said.
They added: “As the project progresses, updates will be provided on the DCC website. The Public Consultation Report and updated Preliminary Design Drawings will also be published on the project webpage when completed.
CORRECTION: This article originally included a headline and opening paragraph stating that it was a Pathfinder project. This was an error. The project is part of a push for a quicker build of the Dodder route with “a prospective timeline of two years,” and the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan linked this with climate action, but the project was never given Pathfinder status. IrishCycle.com apologies for any confusion caused. This correction was added when the Department of Transport responded to a follow-up question outlining that it was not a Pathfinder project. No correction was sought.
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