— Gaps in Liffey Cycle Route will be “evaluated after the full implementation” of measures proposed in Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which is years away.
An extension of the two-way cycle path on the south quays in the Docklands, which runs as far as O’Connell Bridge, was opened this morning, but there is no clear plan for further joining up the disjointed cycle paths on the city’s quays and the gaps are only to “evaluated” in a few years time.
The project that opened today includes works on Georges Quay, Burgh Quay, and Aston Quay. It includes a two-way protected cycle path from Matt Talbot Memorial Bridge to O’Connell Bridge and also a with-flow, one-way westbound cycle track along Aston Quay, west of O’Connell Bridge.
Footpaths between O’Connell Bridge and Tara Street on the riverside were also made accessible for the first time in many decades.
The Dublin Cycling Campaign welcomed the opening of the route. The group posted on Bluesky: “Awesome to see George’s Quay to O’Connell Bridge protected two-way lanes open this morning! Fair play to the Dublin City Council Active Travel team and National Transport Authority,”
The campaign added: “Another step forward for the City Centre.”
Cllr Feljin Jose (Green Party), at a recent council meeting, outlined how the Liffey Cycle Route was mentioned in a city council update report, and he said: “But what is the next phase? It’s great that this phase is finally almost finished. Where to go next?”
In a written answer, officials from Dublin City Council said the works commenced on site in February 2024 and are scheduled for completion in Q1 2025.
“When these works are completed, the Liffey Corridor, from Frank Sherwin Bridge, at Heuston Station to Samuel Beckett Bridge will have safer cycling facilities, with the exception of the segments where there is limited road space,” the council said.
“These include Ellis Quay, Bachelors Walk and Wellington Quay. Measures needed at these locations will be evaluated after the full implementation of measures proposed in Dublin City’s City Centre Transport Plan,” the officials said.
No timeline was given in the answer, but the measures in the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan are planned for a phased implementation up to 2028, with a number of measures already delayed.
The left turn ban at the junction of Westland Row and Pearse Street was delayed from last year to this year, and no work on the ground was done on Gardner Street last year as was planned.
The changes to Parliament Street and Westland Row/Pearse Street are the only two that the city council has flagged as to be implemented this year. This means that the Gardner Street changes may be delayed further, and more measures originally planned to start this year are delayed, including Custom House, traffic-free College Green and Dame Steet, and changes at Lincoln Place.
Tried it today and it’s a big improvement, but still the usual issues of frequent stops and long waits like the canal route. Much better than before.
It’s still not obvious how you’re meant to connect though if coming on the Northside of the Liffey to the South.
Getting better but still a lot to do to convince people not used to cycling in heavy traffic to cycle in the city centre.
Tried it going west today as I thought it would be handy from O’Connell Bridge to the Ha’Penny bridge but didn’t realise it essential ends directly after O’Connell bridge, and just leaves you to mix with general traffic again.
Used it this evening. Great to get away from the buses on the quays!
Its an improvement to have a place away from the busses on Tara street but its very much an isolated fragment. Baby steps.