City council plans to tackle Clontarf public safety issue

DUBLIN City Council has moved to tackle a public safety issue at Clontarf Promenade.

The city council said there is a conflict between cyclists and pedestrians as the cycleway and pedestrian footpath on the promenade converge at three notable junctions: between the pumping station and public car park at the bottom of Vernon Avenue; near the car park opposite Clontarf Yacht Club; and also adjacent to the public car park at the bottom of Hollybrook Road.

A spokesman for Dublin City Council said:

“A number of problem locations between pedestrian and cyclists have been identified.

“These mainly relate to concerns for pedestrians exiting car parks, the proximity of cyclists to pedestrians in other areas and other traffic issues.

“In order to address this, the North Central Area office has sought advisory and recommendations on possible solutions from the council’s Environment and Transportation, and Roads and Traffic Planning sections.

?

The spokesman said the recommendations will address these concerns and seek to put solutions in place in as short a time frame as possible.

“A report will be issued and presented to the North Central Area Committee meeting on April 20,

? he added.

Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath (Ind) has welcomed the city council’s plan to tackle the problem

“before someone is killed

?.

“This is a big issue locally for users of the promenade,

? said Deputy McGrath.

“Credit is to be given to Dublin City Council’s local area office for taking the initiative in trying to resolve the problem.

“There is a major accident waiting to happen along the promenade in areas where the cycleway and pedestrian footpaths converge.

“Often drivers and their families, including young children, alight from their cars in the public car parks along the promenade in a relaxed frame of mind as they prepare to enjoy a walk or a kick-about.

“However, on their way to the seafront wall they have to cross over a very busy cycleway and often put their own and the cyclists’ safety at risk.

?

Deputy McGrath said there has been several near misses and minor accidents reported.

“It’s only a matter of time before a major incident occurs,

? he added.

“Dublin City Council is to be commended for deciding to do something about the hazardous situation with their own very limited funds. Hopefully work will commence before the summer months.

?