Improved Walking and Cycling Connections at 2 Swords Locations
Fingal County Council, supported by the National Transport Authority (NTA), has today launched 2 public consultations seeking feedback on proposals for new cycling and walking infrastructure on the stretch of Seatown Road, Swords from Woodies to the Malahide Estuary and at Newtown Bridge on Balheary Road.
To make Seatown Road safer for everyone, particularly those walking and cycling, Fingal County Council is proposing cycle lanes on both sides of the road extending to meet Estuary Road as well as traffic calming measures from the entrance of Seatown Road at R132 (Seatown Roundabout). Works are expected to take approximately 3 months and to begin in Q3 2023.
A number of changes are also proposed for Newtown Bridge on Balheary Road, where the Council are planning to widen the footpath across the bridge, adding a cycle lane, and install traffic lights to allow traffic to pass over the bridge, taking turns one direction at a time.
The proposed changes at both locations will reduce traffic speed and improve safety. The changes are particularly important for the safety of people walking or travelling by bike in the area.
Fingal County Council’s Director for Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel, David Storey says the proposed works are in line with a vision for active and sustainable travel. ‘Active Travel is choosing to get where you’re going using your own energy. That means walking and cycling for everyday life and includes kids taking their scooters out, parents pushing buggies and people walking to work or school not just those walking for exercise or leisure. When communities choose Active Travel they enjoy safer journeys, better mental and physical health, and cleaner air because not taking the car everywhere means we produce fewer carbon emissions and have calmer roads.’
Senior Executive Engineer, Breen Doris says both schemes are designed to make travelling by Active Travel an easier choice. ‘Installing protected cycle lanes on Seatown Road will mean that people working in the businesses there can get to work by walking or hopping on their bike and will also benefit those heading to and from Malahide along the Estuary.’
‘At Newtown Bridge we are addressing the risks to walkers and those on bikes by reducing traffic across the bridge to one lane. By adding a short stretch of ‘shuttle’ area across the bridge we can allow the space needed for bikes, buggies, and pedestrians to safely pass to and from Broadmeadow Park as well as improving access to Balheary reservoir lands at Swords Celtic FC.’
Fingal County Council say creating these kinds of links between various Active Travel schemes in Swords is a key priority and these schemes are just two examples of how they are building a county-wide network to make Active Travel an easier choice for as many people as possible.’
Those interested in the proposed works for Seatown Road and Newtown Bridge, Balheary Road have 4 weeks to tell Fingal County Council what they think. Detailed drawings are available to view along with information about how to give feedback at https://consult.fingal.ie
A lunchtime webinar has been planned for the Seatown Road scheme on Monday, 3rd April and an in-person meeting, hosted at Swords Celtic FC is planned for the Newtown Bridge, Balheary Road scheme on Tuesday evening, 4th April. Full details of both events are also included at the link above and interested members of the public are invited to attend both.
Submissions must be made before 23.59hrs on Wednesday, 26 April.
