Skerries Report Published Following Active Travel Plan Consultation

A report detailing the results of the Skerries Active Travel Plan consultation has been published by Fingal County Council. The plan sets out a series of ambitions for Active Travel improvements in the town.

Following a 2022 consultation process where residents of Skerries, businesspeople and visitors were invited to tell Fingal County Council how the town could be improved by Active Travel, a report on the findings of that public research has now been published. The consultation was a first of its kind for the Department of Climate, Environment and Active Travel, who approached the local community seeking ideas and input on the current situation rather than seeking reaction to a particular proposal.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Adrian Henchy says ‘It is usual for the Council to put forward fully formed ideas so that the public can tell us what they think we have gotten right or wrong and help us refine the idea. In this case the Active Travel unit tried a new approach, asking those who know Skerries best to tell us what they want and need, what they believe will make a difference and what will really work.’

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly says ‘We had an enthusiastic response to this open consultation, with lots of ideas put forward for enhancements that could make Skerries an even better place. We are looking forward to using this valuable feedback on future projects.’

The consultation received 2,000 individual suggestions from over 530 submissions and the report organises feedback under a series of headings, including Pedestrian Crossings, Accessibility, Parking, Schools, Pedestrian and Cyclist Priority, Public Realm, Amenities and more. The people of Skerries have identified needs for better connected continuous cycling and walking paths, footpath resurfacing and widening, road safety improvements and traffic calming measures such as speed ramps and raised crossings and a host of other practical solutions. These and all other suggestions are detailed in the consultation report which can be read online at https://www.fingal.ie/activetravel/skerries

David Storey, Director for Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel says Fingal County Council will use the consultation results to plan a series of projects. ‘This consultation has given us a raft of insights about Skerries. It has clearly identified some areas of need that Active Travel can address. Our next step is to appoint designers who can look at solutions to those needs and then bring forward individual projects over the coming months. We will be working with the people of Skerries to deliver the very best for the town so that everyone can benefit from the shift to walking and cycling, which are already so popular in the town.’

Skerries Active Travel Plan is a study which looks to identify projects that might benefit the town and provide a clear programme of how those projects can be delivered in the coming years, as funding becomes available.

In addition to future works that will happen under the Skerries Active Travel Plan, the town will continue to benefit from major projects including the Fingal Coastal Way greenway project. The Fingal Coastal Way is being developed under a separate funding mechanism and will involve a full planning application through An Board Pleanála. Also in Skerries, the upcoming Harbour Road & Red Island Loop project will propose enhancements to this destination and viewpoint that will benefit residents, businesses and tourists. As Skerries grows and evolves so will it’s Active Travel infrastructure and public realm.

Fingal County Council says further announcements will be made as designers are appointed for Skerries projects.