Cycle route gets warm welcome after latest designs are unveiled (2024)

The latest plans for a new segregated cycle route along the Liffey quays in Dublin represent the “best balance” that could be achieved, the National Transport Authority said.

Huge Cregan, the NTA’s deputy chief executive, said that the introduction of extra sections for pedestrians had helped to eliminate problems with previous designs that had sought to divert cars away from the quays. “This plan means there will be safer cycling facilities and an improved environment for pedestrians along the Liffey. We believe that this will encourage more people to cycle and walk as part of their daily commute,” Mr Creegan said.

There was a broad welcome for the latest design of the Liffey Cycle Route after it was unveiled at a special meeting of Dublin city council’s transportation committee yesterday. Shane Ross, the transport minister, described it as “a wonderful project for everyone who lives in, works in or visits Dublin”.

While cycle lanes will be next to the buildings on both sides of the quays for most of the route, they will be next to the river in the busiest 1.2km central section to allow space for bus stops.

Brendan O’Brien, the council’s head of traffic planning, said it was difficult to estimate the timeframe for construction of the project, which has to be approved by councillors.

Mr O’Brien said that it was uncertain if the introduction of more boardwalks to facilitate the scheme could be achieved through the council’s own planning process or whether it would require the approval of An Bord Pleanála.

The public consultation on the latest plans for the 4.7km route is expected to be opened in the near future. The council hopes the cycle route could be progressed quickly, but Mr O’Brien said the earliest that construction was likely to begin was late 2020. The meeting was told that the plans would result in the loss of 33 trees and more than 100 car park spaces.

Mr O’Brien said that the design of the cycleway, including the provision of island bus stops, would provide the “maximum protection and segregation” for cyclists. He said that a pinch point around Essex Quay had been “like the Brexit backstop” because it had proven a stumbling block during attempts to find a design solution, but the introduction of boardwalks had made it “deliverable”.

Ciarán Cuffe, the committee’s chairman and Green Party councillor, said that the plans were not perfect and involved compromises. However, he added: “Doable is better than visionary but unworkable solutions we have seen in the past.”

Mr Cuffe said the route, which would link the Phoenix Park and Dublin Bay and integrate with the Sutton-Sandycove cycleway, would be an important part of the city’s green infrastructure.

Ray McAdam, a Fine Gael councillor who had been highly critical of previous versions of the project, said that the new design deserved praise.

Colm Ryder, of the Dublin Cycling Campaign, said that it represented “an iconic statement of intent that Dublin city council is supporting pedestrians, cyclists and public transport above other transport modes”.

Dublin Chamber said the plans were the best option proposed to date. “It represents a good outcome for all road users,” Graeme McQueen, the chamber’s head of communications said.