Non-statutory public consultation is to take place next month on four options to make Dublin’s quays a safer and more attractive place to walk and cycle for commuters, residents and tourists.

The four options were outlined at a sitting of the Dublin City Council traffic and transport committee this afternoon. The options were as follows:

OPTION ONE



A two-way cycle route on the river-side of the north quays around 3.5 meters or wider expect at the worst pinch points. This option would have a boardwalk for pedestrians on the narrow section of the quays between Blackhall Place and Church Street (outlined as an orange line in the map above) beside the Four Courts where the quays get wider. Along this narrow section, the cycle path would use the space currently used by the quay-side footpath and the current cycle lane. Issues

OPTION TWO



A two-way cycle route on the river-side of the north quays, with buses diverted between Liffey Street West near Blackhall Place and Church Street. The cycle route would take up the space of the outside traffic lane and the bus lane along this section of the quays would be reverted to a general traffic lane on the building-side of the quays.

OPTION THREE

A two-way cycle route on the north quays with buses diverted and a reconfiguration of the Croppies Acre memorial park, at the front of Collins Barracks. As we detailed in October (includes map), this option would include diverting motor traffic along a new route from Heuston Station across the Frank Sherwin Bridge where traffic would follow the Luas red line before moving back onto the quays near the main vehicle entrance to Collins Barracks.

Buses would follow a similar route but at the entrance to Collins Barracks buses would continue to follow the Luas line until Church Street, at the Four Courts. This could allow for a higher quality walking and cycling route on the quays, while limiting impacts on private traffic and buses.

This option was indicated as receiving the highest positive feedback from stakeholders, including business groups. Buses would run beside, not on the Luas tracks, and bus priority would given to buses rejoining the quays at the same time as Luas trams would be crossing Church Street.

OPTION FOUR



Segregated cycle paths on both side of the quays — there was little detail given on this but the indications are that the cycle paths would be less continuous.

Cllr Jane Horgan-Jones (Labour) said: “I think it would be a good strategic project for the city.” She highlight the importance of the route being continuous and the need to link it to the partly planned, partly in place S2S route along Dublin Bay.

Cllr Ciarán Cuffe, chairman of the transport committee and a Green Party representative for Dublin’s north inner city, said at the transport committee today that the project is “long overdue”.

In a statement released afterwards, Cuffe added: “This is a progressive and positive move by the Council. It will make cycling and walking much safer and more attractive, and have great benefits for the whole community of Dubliners. Its important for everyone to have their say on the presentation and I welcome the consultation period which will now begin.”

Cuffe said: “This plan is a great opportunity for Dublin and I think this could be the start of a big improvement in our transport infrastructure.”

Keith Byrne, the chairman of the Dublin Cycling Campaign, said the plan was a “fantastic investment” by the city.

He said: “We see the introduction of an off-road two cycle track along the quays that connects the Phoenix Park to the Point as a fantastic investment by the city and will be a big part in improving the city centres vibrancy. It will increase confidence and the quality of life for all city centre users which we see will have a very positive effect on economic activity. There are many social, economic and health benefits that will be reaped by citizens and local businesses in the form of shopping and employment.”

Byrne added: “We also see this as raising Dublin up in international standards and becoming more attractive to foreign tourism and investment. Connecting this to be S2S will make Dublin an envy of many cycling cities with fantastic connections accessible to people of all ages to enjoy the best that we’ve got to offer.”

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