Dublin Cycling Campaign and Cyclist.ie made yet another detailed written submission today - this time in response to the application by Kildare County Council for the Royal Canal greenway. The section covered under this ‘Part 8’ planning application goes from Maynooth to Leixlip (i.e. to the border of Kildare County and Fingal County).

Overall, we believe the project has the potential to create a great amenity to link the existing and emerging Royal Canal greenways to the west and east. It traverses a wonderful landscape and can help to revitalise this route in a new guise, and hopefully encourage an increase in visitor numbers given that it forms part of EuroVelo ‘Capitals’ Route#2 (shown above). Crucially, it will enable people of all ages to cycle safely and conveniently between Kilcock, Maynooth and Leixlip and therefore it the potential to offer a real alternative to the car leading to improved public health and reduced congestion and pollution. We do however have some concerns in regard to the narrow width of the proposed greenway, the surfacing and the types of access gates provided, amongst other issues.

Our full submission can be seen below as a PDF. A sincere thanks to our team of volunteers who did the leg work in preparing the document. Well done also to Maynooth Cycling, another member group of Cyclist.ie, who made their own separate submission - viewable here.

Finally, if you appreciate this work done by cycling campaigners to improve your cycling environment, please join Dublin Cycling Campaign or, if you are outside of the capital then join Cyclist.ie - the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network directly!