Latest news

Broadmeadow Trail - Councillors pass important motion:
We welcome the unanimous vote on Monday Sept 10th by Fingal County Councillors in support of Mayor Alan Farrell's motion "That Fingal County Council initiate a programme for the development of an orbital footpath/cycle route around Broadmeadow Estuary."

New pathway open linking Malahide and Portmarnock
A beautiful new pathway is now open from Robswall over "Paddy's Hill" to Portmarnock. Access on the Portmarnock side is beside the entrance to Portmarnock AFC. The view of Lambay island, as one approaches Malahide from the Portmarnock direction is stunning. This is officially a 'pedestrian' pathway, but my kids think it's more fun on a bike!

Pedestrian crossing imminent
A new pedestrian crossing at the junction of Swords Road and Millview Road (Malahide) is due for completion by the end of the year. The crossing will be at a location west of the Millview. Road. (Source: Fingal Independent - Sep 12th, page 2).
This will provide a much needed 'safe' crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists on the southern side of the very busy Swords road. Hopefully this will give more parents the confidence to allow their children to walk and cycle to schools in the area.

Improved permeability planned within Malahide Demesne
FingalCoCo Parks Department is planning to improve permeability within Malahide Demesne by opening what is currently a 'Council Staff Only' section of the main avenue leading from the Casino gate, past the Courtyard, to the castle itself. Currently, visitors approaching from Malahide village are forced to leave the main avenue and approach the castle through the wooded pathway. In addition to reducing confusion for the many tourists who visit the castle, this will greatly improve access for all of the residents of Malahide, to the courtyard shops, and the playing pitches.

Pilot cyclepaths project for Malahide Demesne
FingalCoCo Parks Department is planning a pilot project to introduce safe cyclepaths within Malahide Demesne, with a view to introducing cyclepaths to all parks in Fingal over time. Safety for both pedestrians and cyclists will be a primary consideration.
(Source: Fingal County Manager, David O'Connor at Malahide Community Forum AGM May 2007, confirmed by Senan Turnball, Director of services, Community, Recreation and Amenities, on Monday Sep 17th 2007)

Plan to convert towpaths into world class cycle ways

Failte Ireland and SUSTRANS (Sustainable Transport) are meeting with county councils later this month (June 2007) to develop a plan to convert over 1000km of canal and waterway towpaths into world class walk and cycle trails.

SUSTRANS have also offered support to Fingal County Council with the development of cycleways in the Fingal area - as part of the proposed Dublin Belfast Cycle Route.

Irish Heart Foundation on safe cycle lanes

Extract from letter to Irish Times, Wed 9th May 2007, from MICHAEL O'SHEA, Chief Executive, Irish Heart Foundation:

"Irish society is experiencing increasing levels of obesity year on year. This is a serious health issue for our society. Regular exercise is a major contributory factor to reducing excess body weight. Cycling is enjoyable, beneficial and environmentally friendly - so we should be investing heavily in safe cycle lanes throughout our towns and cities and encouraging significant numbers to cycle - especially in the beautiful spring sunshine. - Yours, etc,"
MICHAEL O'SHEA, Chief Executive, Irish Heart Foundation, Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Further details from the Irish Heart Foundation ->
Physical Activity, Young People and the Physical Environment

Broadmeadow Inner Estuary Cleanup

The clean up was a huge success. It was great to see the young and the not so young out 'doing their bit' for the environment. Well done to all - A BIG thanks to Fingalcoco Co-ordinator, Hans Visser and his team.

Broadmeadow Trail Poster

Click to view our Lobby for the Broadmeadow Trail poster. Please print some copies and post on noticeboards in your local shops, surgeries, clubs etc.

Good news over the past few months

• Mar 2007: FingalCoCo indicate desire to provide cycleways in Fingal parks - safety of all park users will be a primary consideration.
• Mar2007: Failte Ireland meet Iarnrod Eireann to discuss pedestrian paths and cycleways across the Broadmeadow and Rogerstown estuaries.
• Mar 2007: Seabury residents agree compromise route with FingalCoCo for Caves Marsh boardwalk - FingalCoCo indicate willingness to widen boardwalk to accomodate wheelchairs and cyclists.
• Feb2007: Dublin North election candidates express support for Broadmeadow Trail.
• Jan 2007: Failte Ireland commission mapping of Dublin–Belfast cycle route. The proposed route will enter Malahide along the coast from Portmarnock, and will go around the Broadmeadow estuary before heading North through Donabate.
• Jan 2007: Irish Sports Council launches ‘World Class Trails Strategy’ to encourage the ordinary person into the outdoors by providing multi-purpose walking/cycling trails that are safe, accessible, and marked.
• Nov 2006: Fingal County Council starts work on Fingal Coastal Way – pedestrian and cycle way extending from Dublin City to Meath.
• Nov 2006: Government announces support for Sutton to Sandycove seafront promenade and cycle way.

Open e-mail to General Election candidates in Dublin North regarding Broadmeadow pedestrian / Cycle Way

Update 24th March - The open e-mail below, sent in January has received cross-party support - I have published the candidates responses as comments.


Dear candidate,

I would like to offer you this opportunity to set out your position, and that of your party regarding the development of a pedestrian / cycle way around the Broadmeadow estuary.

Situated between Swords, Malahide and Donabate, the Broadmeadows estuary is a magnificent natural amenity that is currently under utilised. As you know, we are constantly reminded about the increasing levels of obesity in Ireland, especially in young people. A pedestrian / cycle way around the Broadmeadow would provide the residents of Dublin North with a 'safe, accessible' 10km long 'World Class Trail'(1). It would encourage a greater number of families to exploit the many attractions right at their doorstep. Most importantly, it would be a place where parents could teach safe cycling skills away from traffic.

Much of the trail is already in place. The most important 'missing link' is a pedestrian/cycle bridge beside the railway line that crosses the estuary. This is already provided for in the Donabate Local Area Action Plan(2).

There has been talk of a pedestrian / cycle way across the estuary for many years. Delivering this will require the co-operation of Iarnrod Eireann and Fingal CoCo. TDs and prospective TDs in Dublin North have a critical role to play in this.

I look forward to receiving your response setting out your view on the above proposal, and specifically what you and your party plan to do to deliver this.

I will publish this open e-mail and your reply on the internet at (http://www.fingalsafecycling.blogspot.com/)

Yours Sincerely,

Ken O'Connor

-- Ken O'ConnorFingal Safe Cycling Action Group
e-mail fingalsafecycling@gmail.com
www.fingalsafecycling.blogspot.com

(1) The Irish Sports Council launched a 'World Class Trails' strategy in Jan 2007, with the aim of providing 'safe, accessible, and marked' trails to encourage the ordinary person into the outdoors.
(2) Item 153 in the Donabate Strategic Environmental Assessment (March 2006) states: 'That Fingal County Council seeks the provision of a public walkway/cycleway through the Western side of Variation 34 Lands in Donabate and along the existing railway embankment across the Malahide Estuary, in consultation with Iarnrod Eireann within the lifespan of this Development Plan.'

e-mail addresses of candidates:
To: "trevor.sargent@oireachtas.ie" , michael.kennedy@fingalcoco.ie, darragh.obrien@fingalcoco.ie, bren@brendan-ryan.ie, tmorrissey@oireachtas.ie, clare.daly@fingalcoco.ie, joe.corr@fingalcoco.ie, james.reilly@finegael.ie

I could not find e-mail addresses for John O'Leary (FF), or Matt McCormack (SF).

Plan to develop world-class network of trails

Irish Times Sat 13th Jan 2007....
'Waterways, cycle routes, urban walkways and mountain bike routes will form part of a new, safe "world-class" trails network here, it was announced yesterday'. The aim of the new Irish Trails strategy is to encourage the ordinary person into the outdoors, John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, said in Killarney, Co. Kerry. ....
'Ireland does not have a dedicated cycle network. Outside the main cities there are few cycle ways and no official off-road mountai biking trails. Cyclists on holiday have expressed concerns about road safety here.
The strategy is concerned about the over-reliance on public roads which can be dangerous and lack satisfactory interaction with the surrounding countryside'.

We (FSCAG) welcome this strategy....
See Irish Sports Council Press Release

You can see the full article (if you are an Irish Times subscriber) at: http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2007/0113/1168460435330.html