Council outlines proposals for new Active Travel route in Castleknock

Fingal County Council has published a proposal for a new walking and cycling route from Auburn Avenue to the 12th Lock in Castleknock.  The Council is asking the public to share their responses to the proposal.

This new route will help people of all abilities to enjoy a feeling of safety when walking and wheeling. It will also provide better connection to local shopping, schools, sports and the wider public transport network for commuting and longer journeys.  

Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Brian McDonagh, says ‘Evidence from around Europe and other places in Ireland where active travel has already been made a priority is showing us that communities want and need better walking and cycling infrastructure. By providing more cycle lanes, footpaths, safe crossings and cycle-friendly roundabouts we will make walking and wheeling the easy choice for as many people as possible.’

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly says ‘The Auburn Avenue to 12th Lock Walking and Cycling Route is a significant investment in the Castleknock area. We’ve conducted research, with the aid of the ESRI, into how best to encourage people to make the shift from always using the car to instead choosing to walk or wheel for local journeys. That research tells us that when people have access to high-quality walking routes and cycle lanes from their home to their local shops, schools, restaurants and other amenities they will use them. By expanding and improving the network of footpaths and cycle lanes in Dublin 15 we are bringing positive change to Fingal.’

David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sports Department says the new route has been designed with local needs in mind. ‘This scheme includes more than 2km of new protected cycle lanes and upgraded footpaths but most importantly, it includes a host of road safety improvements that are needed in the area. We know the most vulnerable people in our community are children, people with reduced mobility and older people. By slowing down traffic, making distances to cross the road shorter and providing zebra crossings we are planning for safer walking and wheeling. We are also making changes to bus stops to remove the conflict point between cyclists and buses.’

The Council has written to local residents and business to make them aware of the proposed scheme.

The public consultation is open until 23.59hrs on Friday 13th September 2024. Residents, businesses, community organisations and others are encouraged to view the proposal and tell the Council what they think. Submissions can be made online on the Fingal consultation portal. Alternatively, they can be emailed or sent by post to the project team.

Full project information can be found at: https://www.fingal.ie/activetravel/auburnavenue