Fitzwilliam Cycle Route Non-Statutory Public Consultation

Overview

Background

The proposed Fitzwilliam Cycle Route scheme comprises improved facilities for cycling and walking on a one kilometre long route extending from Leeson Street - Fitzwilliam Place junction to Merrion Square North – Holles Street junction along Fitzwilliam Place, Fitzwilliam Street and Merrion Square East.

The route forms part of Secondary Route C7 (South Circular Road to Mount St. Lower) identified in the NTA Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan and is one of a number of routes being developed by Dublin City Council as part of its overall network of 470km of safer cycling routes suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

The objective of the scheme is to provide a high quality cycle route to meet the requirements of cyclists of varied experience having particular regard to any engineering, architectural and environmental constraints along the route; develop a cost effective scheme, which provides for an optimal balance of provision between the various road users along the route, provide a broadly consistent cycle route in terms of alignment and feel; and cater for walking along the route By means of improved pedestrian crossings, additional crossing locations and upgraded footpaths.

Scheme Benefits

The scheme will provide an attractive segregated cycle route that caters for commuter and recreational cycling. Additional cycle parking will be provided to cater for 150 bicycles. Existing pedestrian facilities will be upgraded and enhanced with improvements to footpaths, crossing surfaces, dropped kerbs and new mid-block crossing locations. Formalised traffic lanes and car parking along the route will improve road legibility for drivers.

Proposed Scheme

The existing road layout will be reconfigured to provide a parking protected cycle lane on both sides of the road. The scheme will include the reconfiguration of car parking spaces, additional disabled parking bays and increased cycle parking, segregated cycle tracks at Leeson Street and Merrion Square North, public realm improvements to public area outside kiosk at junction of Leeson Street and Adelaide Road. The scheme will also incorporate the upgrade and redesign of the junctions along the route which will improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians.

The proposal includes:

• Provision of a one-way parking-protected cycle lane on both sides of the road. A buffer zone (minimum 0.75m wide) will be provided between the cycle lane and parking bays.  
• Reconfiguration of existing perpendicular car parking along the route to parallel parking. This will result in a reduction of 140 parking spaces.
• Additional disabled person’s parking bays, additional locations for electric vehicle charging points. Provision of new bicycle parking along the route with capacity for circa 150 bicycles.
• Pedestrian improvements will be provided at priority controlled junctions at Fitzwilliam Square, Cumberland Road, Kingram Place and laneways along the route by means of reduced corner radii, shortened pedestrian crossing widths (by means of footpath build-outs) and dropped kerbs at crossing locations.
• Upgrade of existing signalised junctions along the route to provide segregated cycling facilities and improved pedestrian crossing facilities. 
• Mid-block uncontrolled pedestrian crossing locations will be provided by means of dropped kerbs and pedestrian islands within the parking bays. This will reduce the carriageway crossing distance.
• Standardising the width of the carriageway to 3.25m for each traffic lane, will reduce vehicle speeds and reduce the width at the pedestrian crossing points. 
• Retention of all existing historic kerbs, paving and street furniture along the route. Sympathetic materials will be used to reflect the scheme’s location within the South Georgian Core and the Fitzwilliam Square and Environs Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).  

Submissions and Observations

The proposed plans will be available for inspection from Thursday 13th September to Friday 12th October 2018 at:

• The public foyer in the Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8;

• Pearse Street Library, 144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

The proposals can also be viewed on the Dublin City Council’s web site https://consultation.dublincity.ie.

Please inspect these proposals and let us know your views.  Representations in relation to these proposals may be made in writing to:

The Executive Manager,

Environment & Transportation Department,

Block 2 Floor 6, Civic Offices,

Wood Quay,

Dublin 8.

Or by email to fitzwilliamimprovements@dublincity.ie  fitzimprove@dublincity.ie