Fingal County Council has revealed its plans for an “Outdoor Summer” following last night’s monthly meeting.
Councillors were given a presentation detailing how, from the June Bank Holiday, the public will be able to safely access “the public realm in some of the county’s major towns.”
Councillors were also briefed on the supports being put in place to facilitate outdoor dining with areas such as Swords, Blanchardstown, Skerries and Malahide identified as locations that would benefit from special activation measures to support the hospitality sector.
As part of the plans, New Street in Malahide will be pedestrianised from June 6 and a walkaway will be introduced on Harbour Road in Skerries.
Outdoor dining areas are also being established on Main Street, Swords, and Main Street, Blanchardstown.
Public information leaflets outlining the measures for Swords, Skerries and Malahide will be distributed to all households in those areas with residents being asked to complete a survey on the proposals at consult.fingal.ie that is open until May 21.
The public realm measures will also include additional litter bins, public toilets and public benches as well as additional staff resources in key areas of the county and changes to the county’s Casual Trading Byelaws.
Toilets in libraries in Malahide, Blanchardstown and Balbriggan will also be opened to the public.
The council has installed changing places toilets in Millennium Park, Blanchardstown and has plans to install them at Ardgillan Castle.
A motion tabled by Mayor of Fingal, councillor David Healy said: “That this council makes provision for an Outdoor Summer in line with public health advice in order for the needs of the Fingal and wider community during the coming months and to include the following.
“Re-allocating space to and improving facilities for active travel throughout the county; re-allocating street space and car parking space for public realm use and for use by restaurants and cafes; providing increased public seating, and working to help businesses which produce packaging waste which risks becoming litter to move to more sustainable production and consumption models (including deposit and return schemes, use of compostable packaging and taking responsibility for that packaging).
Other provisions mentioned in the motion include the promotion and enforcement of litter legislation, increasing maintenance of public spaces, protecting sand dunes from trampling and other valuable habitats from excessive visitor pressure, and increasing the availability of public toilets.