COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 10, 2012

QUESTION NO. 11

QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

To ask the Manager for an update on efforts to secure funding for the extension of ‘green routes’ throughout the county, including through our parks?

REPLY:

Over two hundred kilometres of green routes are provided in the public parks and open spaces of the County and in recent years, good progress has been made in respect of the Countywide Green Routes network.  The Grand Canal green route to Dublin City was completed in 2010 and an extension of the western end of the route into Adamstown and South Lucan via Griffeen Valley Park and a new Canal overbridge was completed in 2011.  Also in 2010, the Dublin Mountains Way from Tallaght to Shankill was opened, including a section from Tallaght via Sean Walsh Park and Kiltipper Park to Bohernabreena.   NTA funding has been secured to implement and develop further links from adjoining areas of open space in the Clondalkin area onto the Grand Canal Route in 2012. 

Also in 2012, funding has been secured from the NTA for the design of the Dodder Valley green route from Tallaght to Ballsbridge/Docklands.  This Project is being undertaken jointly with Dublin City Council and is being led by SDCC.  NTA funding is also supporting an upgraded walking/cycle route through the Dodder Valley Park at Old Bawn.  In addition, the Heritage Council is funding survey work on the upper reaches of the Dodder Valley, from Old Bawn to Bohernabreena, in order to assess the ecological resource that would direct any future project in respect of a green route or linear park. 

Two applications were made earlier this year to the Department of Transport  for funding assistance under the National Cycle Network Local Authority Funding Scheme 2012 for projects in Corkagh Park & Griffeen Valley Park. The applications were not successful

In summary, almost all of Phase 1 of the Green Routes network is either complete or subject to design and survey work with a view to implementation.  Any outstanding elements of Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be progressed subsequently as resources can identified and/or made available.  This will include future funding applications to both the Department of Transport and National Transport Authority.