Dublin City Council has officially opened the Clontarf to City Centre (C2CC) Active Travel Project connecting the Royal Canal Greenway to the East Coast Trail and part of the Tolka Valley Greenway, providing a continuous segregated walking and cycling route from Howth to the city centre.
The walk-wheel-cycle initiative is part of the ongoing transformation of the city’s transportation network. It encourages a more sustainable, connected and efficient city for residents, commuters and visitors.
The C2CC Project extends 2.7km from the Clontarf Road/Alfie Byrne Road junction along North Strand Road to Amiens Street at Connolly Station. The route is part of the Dublin City Council Active Travel Network, a key initiative designed to support Dublin’s growing need for greener transport through improved walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport facilities.
Cllr Naoise O’ Muirí, deputising for the Lord Mayor, said: “This is a great scheme for the local community and for the north city which I am proud to have been part of from the very start. As a local user of the scheme, I am already enjoying a more pleasant and safe walking and cycling environment and a much-improved public domain in Fairview. I have no doubt that more Dubliners and visitors to the city will be drawn towards Fairview and Clontarf, bringing with them more footfall and business for local shops and traders. This project is a clear demonstration of Dublin City Council’s commitment to working with local communities and other stakeholders in delivering high-quality and world-leading public infrastructure. I encourage people and in particular families to try the C2CC route and make full use of the various amenities along the way.”
Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, said: “It is great to be here today to launch this new Clontarf to City Centre Project as a safe, accessible ‘highway’ for cyclists and pedestrians and a great example of how active travel can completely transform the way people get into and out of their city. Just standing here for a minute or two, you can see immediately by the numbers using it that it’s the type of people focused infrastructure that people want. For far too long we have let the car dominate our city and this has been no good for anybody. This is a clear signal that Dublin – just like other leading cities like Paris or London – is moving towards a better, cleaner, and greener future.”
The C2CC Project is a public infrastructure project that has delivered 8km of upgraded pedestrian walkways, 6.8km of new cycle lanes, and 5.4km of upgraded bus lanes; with upgrades to nine major junctions and three pedestrian crossings. In addition, there are two new pedestrian crossings connecting Fairview village to the park. Extensive public works have been conducted as part of this project; for instance, replacing 6.5km of century-old water mains and providing a 26km network of utilities for traffic, public lighting and ESB.
The C2CC Project includes sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) to mitigate against flooding, more than 280 new public lighting columns with energy efficient LED fittings, and greening measures including more than 100 trees planted and 50 new planted areas, with more than 4,600 shrubs and hedges. The streetscape along the route has been enhanced with eight new community plazas.
Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Development Plan Delivery and Reform, said: “My department will continue to invest in public infrastructure that delivers on objectives set out in the National Development Plan. The Clontarf to City Centre Project is a good example of this. It is another step in ensuring that our communities are connected with high-quality, safer and inclusive infrastructure that supports more sustainable lifestyle choices. I am confident these facilities will be a catalyst for people to walk, wheel or cycle more often. This will lead to healthier communities and positively contribute to business activity.”
Anne Graham, CEO, National Transport Authority (NTA), said: “The NTA is proud to support the Clontarf to City Centre Project which is part of the NTA’s Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan. It aligns with our vision for a more integrated and efficient transport system not only at a regional level but also at national level. It is another step forward in the delivery of an effective and efficient integrated travel network for Dublin City. This project will not only enhance walking and cycling and public transport in the city but also support Ireland’s broader transport and environmental objectives.”
