Living Streets: Coastal Mobility Route

Overview

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are planning to upgrade the Coastal Mobility Route (CMR) from a temporary design to a high-quality permanent scheme. The CMR consists of a 4.5 km cycle route along the coastline from Blackrock to Sandycove, 3.6 km of which is a two-way fully segregated cycle lane. Building on this infrastructure implemented during the COVID restrictions of the summer of 2020, the proposed scheme will improve the finish, connectivity, accessibility, and safety of the route. It will make it easier and safer to walk and cycle along the coast and will create enhanced public spaces for rest and recreation.

An Independent evaluation of the CMR by TU Dublin has demonstrated positive impacts of the cycle route from both a mobility and a socio-economic perspective. The study found that the CMR ‘has been an effective addition for the people of Dún Laoghaire and Dublin’ and that it has ‘largely been welcomed by the adjacent business community’.  The scheme is consistent with the Dun Laoghaire Local Area Plan (LAP) developed in 2015, informed by extensive public consultation.

Based on recommendations in the TU Dublin report, along with local and national policy goals for the promotion of active mobility, the county council is proposing to implement a high-quality permanent Coastal Mobility Route. The proposed design will include the following key elements. 

Summary of key elements of the scheme:

• New two-way segregated bike lane on Newtown Avenue, Crofton Road, Queens Road and Sandycove Avenue – completing the continuous 4.5km cycle lane
• New high-quality materials – replacing existing rapid-build temporary kerbs with high-quality granite kerbs along the full length of the CMR, enhancing safety and the high amenity context of the area.
• Integrated cycling – better connections between Blackrock, Seapoint, Dun Laoghaire and Sandycove complementing plans for Living Streets Dun Laoghaire where a reduced traffic environment will be created,
• Better pedestrian environment – 15 new raised pedestrian crossings, junction tightening and footpath improvements  to make road crossing safer and easier for pedestrians
• Improved Road layout & traffic flow - Traffic calming, junction upgrades and improved signage. Change in traffic direction on Windsor Terrace to allow people to drive northbound along the coast from Glasthule all the way to Blackrock.
• Improved landscaping and Public Space- along the route at Longford Terrace, Queens Road, Marine Parade and Sandycove Harbour.
• High-quality public space at Queens Road, Harbour area- including bike stands, seating and pedestrian crossing points

This project complements two other schemes under development, Living Streets Dun Laoghaire and Living Streets Blackrock. The proposed CMR works will be executed under Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.

Why your views matter

The council is carrying out a non-statutory public consultation and is seeking views from the public to help inform the permanent scheme design. There are a number of ways you can find out more about the project and contribute to the design process.

• Online survey - open until 3 July to 11 August 2023, click for the survey

• Public information webinars:

7-8 pm, 12^th July – click here to register

7-8 pm, 18^th July – click here to register

Submissions and observations can be made via e-mail to info@dlrcoco.ie or by logging onto www.dlrcoco.ie Public Consultation Hub.  

Observations should be clearly marked ‘Living Streets CMR’