Fingal County Council (FCC) covers an area of 452.7 square kilometres and has 88km of coastline stretching from Sutton in the south to Balbriggan in the north and a population of 273,991. Despite its young population, with an average age of 33 years, only 2% use the bicycle as their main mode of transport (Census 2011).

Cyclists in Fingal are represented by Skerries Cycling Initiative (SCI). FCC does not as yet have a Cycling Officer or Cycle Forum. The Environmental Pillar Representative on FCC’s Transport Strategic Policy Committee, Ray Ryan, will continue to press for the appointment of a Cycling Officer. If you live in the Fingal area and have some free time to help with campaigning for better conditions contact Ray Ryan at rayryan99@gmail.com.

CYCLING DEVELOPMENTS IN FINGAL

TWO-WAY CYCLE TRACK ON R127 BARNAGEERAGH TO BALBRIGGAN ROAD

The goal of the Skerries Cycling Initiative to secure a two-way cycle track between Skerries and Balbriggan looks set to be realised this year. Fingal Co.Co. has overcome obstacles to their plan to install this track at Barnageeragh heading north to Balbriggan and terminating at the Hampton Cove estate. Their plan for the track is expected to be put to public consultation soon.

€1.76 MILLION FOR CYCLING IN FINGAL IN 2014

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has made provisional grants of €1.76 million to Fingal County Council (FCC) for cycling development in 2014. Some of the grants relate to a key objective of the SCI, namely the creation of a major cycleway, The Fingal Coast & Castle Way, (FC&CW) and are particularly welcome. Here are some details – which we stress, are subject to change as the NTA and FCC work through the programme.

1. Donabate to Malahide Cyclist/Pedestrian Track : €100,000 to complete feasibility study. This track is crucial to the long-term vision of the SCI for the creation of the FC&CW, which will stretch from the Meath border via coastal Skerries and Rush, crossing the Rogerstown Estuary at Balleally, connecting to Donabate village and thence across the Broadmeadow Estuary and onwards via the R106 to join up with the Sutton-to-Sandycove Cycleway (S2S). The track in question here, for which the €100,000 has been granted, would likely run along the Western side of the rail line from Malahide to the Corballis Road and from there would join up with the R106 to link to Newbridge House & Farm and Donabate village. Clearly, this means the completion of the cyclist/pedestrian bridge at Malahide viaduct. The 13 piers of this bridge are already sunk into the estuary bed.
2. Extension of S2S from Malahide to Sutton : €160,000 for preliminary design and planning. This refers to the Southern leg of the SCI plan for the FC&CW, which uses the R106 to link Malahide to Sutton. A major cycling-specific upgrade of this road would be needed to fulfil the needs of cyclists travelling the Fingal Coast & Castle Way.
3. The Creation of an Ongar Cycle Network : €550,000 to construct the scheme in the Ongar-Castleheaney area. Fantastic news for North Fingal cyclists.
4. Royal Canal Cycle Scheme : €750,000 for the construction of a high-quality cyclist-pedestrian track along the canal from Ashtown to Blanchardstown (12th lock). This wonderful scheme will continue Westwards in the future.
5. Royal Canal Cycle Scheme : €80,000 for planning and design of the cyclist-pedestrian track from the 12th lock at Blanchardstown to the Kildare Co. Council border.
6. Blanchardstown to Castleknock Cycle Route : €120,000 for design and development stage of a primary cycle route (No. 5) from Main St. Blanchardstown via Castleknock Road to the Phoenix Park. This route is open to public consultation at the moment and SCI members will join with cyclists from the Dublin Cycling Campaign to check out this plan by bike.

NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK FUND

A €6.5 million National Cycle Network fund for Local Authorities was announced last year. No information is available yet on what projects Fingal Co.Co. applied for under this fund.

BUS RAPID TRANSIT

Dublin Bus has plans to introduce Bus Rapid Transit corridors over the next few years in Fingal, from Swords to the city centre, from Clongriffin to Tallaght and from Blanchardstown to UCD. The implications for cyclists on these routes remain to be seen but the early assurances given are that cycling facilities will benefit on these routes, not just in terms of bike parking but also on-street. It will be interesting to see if Dublin Bus will respond to requests that these special buses will carry racks for ⅔ bikes upfront.