Cyclist.ie made a submission to Fingal County Council this week (on 7th July 2021) on the non-statutory consultation on the Royal Canal Urban Greenway, 12th Lock to Kildare Border. For anyone less familiar with the stretch, it runs westwards from the 12th Lock, located quite near the junction of the M50 with the N3 (Navan Road).

The overarching point in our submission is that we are fully supportive of the emerging preferred route along the north bank of the Royal Canal, that connects directly with the already agreed section from the Kildare Border to Maynooth.

Cyclist.ie supports the proposed North Bank Route because:

1  It is simpler, easier, and more economical to construct 
2  It is less invasive of natural areas and protects the rich natural environment of the existing south bank
3  It provides greater access to more people than a potential south bank route, which is severed from housing by the main railway line
4 It permits any plans for the DART+ project to advance separately along the greater part of its length
5  It retains the characterful walking paths along the Deep Sinking section
6  It avoids the huge engineering works that would destroy the environment along the South bank.

You can read a copy of our full submission below.

You can see the documentation issued by FCC to which we responded at this link here: https://consult.fingal.ie/en/consultation/royal-canal-urban-greenway

You can read Dublin Cycling Campaign’s web page on the topic here: https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/royal-canal-greenway-needs-your-support 

1.0     Introduction

Cyclist.ie, the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network (ICAN), is the federation of Cycling Advocacy Groups, Greenway Groups, and Bike Festivals on the island of Ireland. Cyclist.ie is the Irish member of the European Cyclists’ Federation (https://ecf.com/). Our vision is that cycling will be a normal part of transport and everyday life in Ireland.

We commend Fingal CC for the advancement of this vital piece of commuter and leisure cycling/walking route, as part of the Dublin to Galway cross country greenway and the European EuroVelo Route 2 – https://en.eurovelo.com/ev2/ireland

We are fully supportive of the emerging preferred route along the north bank of the Royal Canal, that connects directly with the already agreed section from the Kildare Border to Maynooth.  This Greenway Route has the potential to provide a high-quality, safe, walking and cycling path for commuters, local residents, and visitors alike, and will ultimately link up with Greenway and commuter routes eastwards into Dublin City and westwards to the River Shannon. It is bound to encourage greater active commuter travel by bike, will undoubtedly attract more visitors to the area, and on its eastern end will serve as a commuter cycle route to and from a number of high employment locations in West Dublin and Dublin City.

We note that the present consultation phase is a non-statutory consultation, and we look forward to the final detailed development of the proposed route in due course? 

We also have a number of specific comments and issues, which we outline below in subsequent sections.

2.0 General Comments

2.1 Choice of North Bank Route

Cyclist.ie fully endorses the choice of the route on the North Bank for the following reasons:
1  It is simpler, easier, and more economical to construct 

2  It is less invasive of natural areas and protects the rich natural environment of the existing south bank

3  It provides greater access to more people than a potential south bank route, which is severed from housing by the main railway line

4  It permits any plans for the DART+ project to advance separately along the greater part of its length.

5  It retains the characterful walking paths along the Deep Sinking section

6  it avoids the huge engineering works that would destroy the environment along the South bank

2.2 Surface Proposals

On a major potential commuter and leisure cycle route such as this Royal Canal section, the necessary surface should be a bituminous tarmacadam (asphaltic concrete) surface for its full length. Recent research suggests that a bituminous surface is also more environmentally friendly than a loose grit/dust surface.  Bituminous surfacing is the preferred type of surface by cyclists in general, but also for wheelchair and pram users.  It is also the preferred surface type recommended in the TII ‘Rural Cycleway Design – DN-GEO-03047’ document. This should be made clear in any future design statements.

2.3 Route Width

We are delighted to see the proposed width standard of at least 4 metres, and only be reduced to 3 metres in areas of constraint, and in the rural sections. It could be aiming for 5m wherever possible, especially closer to built up areas from Clonsilla onwards into the city centre. 

In the more high volume locations, such as between the 12th Lock and Diswellstown Road/Dr Troy Bridge, the design team might consider an alternate to the standard shared pathway. A segregated path design, with the cycle track at a lower level than the footpath would reduce conflicts in the more high volume usage area. Here below is an image of the Royal Canal within Dublin City Council’s area for a high-volume area.

2.4 Access and Road Crossing Design Details

On the basis of the drawings exhibited it appears that there will be no use of restrictive access gates along the length of the route, as there are no details supplied for access gates on to the route.  Cyclist.ie warmly welcomes this decision, which will encourage access by all ages, types and abilities of users.  We assume that any potential access gates will, at the very least, comply with the recommended design given in Rural Cycleway Design – DN-GEO-03047.  We favour clear unobstructed access.  Photo montages of any proposed access gates would be particularly useful at further detailed design stage, as connections and road crossings all along the route raise a number of fairly standard safety issues. 

2.5 Multi Access Proposals

Despite objections from a number of residents in the area of Brompton and Delwood estates in the Coolmine area, we are happy to see a number of potential access points highlighted from nearby roadways and housing estates where most of the proposed route is located.  In the future we feel that  these residents will recognise the real benefits of having these access points.  Fingal CC need to ensure that this proposed greenway is also accessible from densely populated areas to the south of the canal. This will necessarily involve re-evaluating all roadways and in particular safe cycle facilities in these areas, and general access to the Greenway.

2.6 Lighting and Security

It is critical, not only for local perception and peace of mind, but also for general safety and ability to use the proposed greenway at all times winter and summer, that appropriate lighting (bat friendly) be put in place, particularly in the areas of high residency.  This lighting should also be supplemented with appropriate and effective security monitoring in these areas.

2.7 Park & Ride Access

Consideration might be given to the provision of Park & Ride sites along the route, for multi modal commuters to be able to drive to locations beside the canal, park their car and continue their commute by bicycle, or by train, from that location to their destinations.

2.8 Specific Location Related Points
In our submission to the previous non-statutory consultation process in 2019 Cyclist.ie made a number of specific location related observations.  These were at the following locations:
–  Collins Bridge
–  Hansfield SDZ and potential new rail station
–  Pakenham Bridge
–  Callaghan Bridge
–  Kennan Bridge
–  Sheepmoor Lane

We assume that the issues raised in these areas will be addressed at the detailed design stage due at either Part 8 planning or ABP application stage.

3.0 Summary

Cyclist.ie warmly welcomes this proposal to develop this section of Royal Canal Urban Greenway. We hope that our comments above will be helpful in examining the issues along the proposed route, and we look forward to the publication of the further detailed design at the final planning stage.  Once again we would be happy to meet with the Council and designers at any stage to develop any of the points raised above

Colm Ryder
Chairperson
Cyclist.ie – the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network
http://cyclist.ie/ 
Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20102029
7th July 2021