COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Monday, October 20, 2008
QUESTION NO 21.
QUESTION: Councillor J. Hannon
"To ask the Manager to provide details of proposals to utilise the Dodder Linear Park for cycleways, and can he also indicate what, if any, contact has been made with neighbouring local authorities with a view to the provision of a continuous cycleway along the full extent of the Dodder?"
REPLY:
The development of an interconnected system of walking and cycling routes throughout South Dublin and utilizing the network of parks and open spaces to connect with the on road routes was the subject of a Green Routes in South Dublin proposal presented to the Elected Members on the 10th April 2007. The purpose of the routes was to facilitate safe alternative routes for school, work and leisure as well as increasing the use of parks and open spaces generally. Priority was to be given to the development of routes in Griffeen Valley, Liffey Valley and Dodder Valley. Work commenced on a section of the Griffeen Valley route in Lucan and this section is almost complete. A section of the route in the Liffey Valley Park at Waterstown Park in Palmerstown is completed although the park itself is not officially open.
In relation to the development of the Dodder Valley network, work has commenced on the scoping of the route and the development of a proposal that can be developed into a formal Part 8 presentation to the Elected Members. The walking and cycling routes will complement the long term plans for the development and enhancement of the Dodder Valley. The route itself is quite complicated as it will necessitate a number of bridge crossings of the Dodder river and because of this and the likely cost involved it is expected that the Dodder Valley route will be developed in stages as resources allow.
It is intended to liaise with the adjoining local authorities of Fingal, Kildare, Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown to progress the development of these routes into these administrative areas also and which could in the long term form part of a large Green Route in the Greater Dublin Area. This would also fit in with the proposals being considered by Fáilte Ireland for the development of a number of world class trail routes on the island of Ireland.
When the detailed proposals for the Dodder Valley route have been prepared for the Public Consultation under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 it is proposed to present them to a future meeting of the Tallaght Area Committee.