Parts of proposed greenway between Cornelscourt and Cherrywood removed over safety concerns
A greenway planned between Cornelscourt and Cherrywood will be made shorter after residents raised safety concerns.
Two sections of the 2.3km Cabinteely Gateway connecting Cornelscourt Village to Glen Lawn Drive and Cabinteely Park have been removed from the plan as they received “significant” opposition.
During the consultation phase for the project, 840 submissions were received online and 460 in the form of physical postcards delivered by one group and signed by a number of individuals.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR) management said 51pc of respondents were supportive of the scheme, while 48pc were not. Out of those in support, 7pc said they would support the greenway with “certain changes”.
Originally planned to provide safe access to schools and amenities along the N11, the council said that residents had expressed safety concerns over pedestrians and cyclists sharing the route.
Councillors argued over DLR management’s proposal to remove a portion of the greenway from its plans.
“It’s disappointing to see a project as ambitious as this being pulled back and confined within the park – we’re not really providing the permeability to get to schools for school children,” said Social Democrats councillor John Hurley.
“I have concerns that the consultation process can be manipulated. There might be people who don’t have a strong internet connection that have been used in this campaign. How can we trust postcards and emails when groups can use them for their agenda.”
However, a motion opposing the changes to the greenway did not find enough support with 21 councillors voting against it and only 18 voting in support.
Suggesting, the now-accepted changes to the greenway, management said that concerns from residents were around pedestrian safety on shared routes and the potential for more cyclists and traffic on a road close to residential neighbourhoods.
“Having regard to the significant level of opposition, it is recommended that Section B (Glen Lawn Drive to Cabinteely Park) and Section A (Cornelscourt Village to Glen Lawn Drive) be removed from the scheme,” suggested a manager.
Councillors supporting the proposed changes said it was a “fair decision” considering the concerns of residents in the area.
“With a 50-50 split like this, when you have over 400 submissions from one specific area, there is a very strong sentiment being expressed, and it’s important to listen to it,” said Fianna Fáil councillor Justin Moylan.
“This is needed in order to bring in active travel and get support on it – this is a sensible conclusion and I completely support the management.”
Other councillors were concerned that changes in the plan would prevent the progress of safe school routes along the route.
“I’m surprised and shocked about taking out sections A and B, it’s undermining safe routes to school,” said Green Party councillor Tom Kivlehan.
"The road on which it runs is 700m long, I’ve often seen cars travelling at 50 to 60 km per hour and that is far more dangerous than any cycle lane could be in front of those houses.”