Public feedback sought on Wicklow plans to improve cycling and walking
The Wicklow PeopleA public consultation will take place on new proposals to improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure around the Convent Road in Delgany.
The aim is to provide better links with the Delgany Village Accessibility Scheme on the R762 which is being progressed as a separate project.
The provision of new and improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure will provide safer facilities and help to encourage a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport.
To achieve these objectives, the existing road layout and cross section have been reviewed, with several options examined to determine which works best to improve facilities in the area.
Convent Road in its current state does not provide facilities to cater for pedestrians to safely navigate and cross along the route.
District councillors in Greystones were presented with a report of the initial findings during their July monthly meeting, with seven options being proposed.
Representatives from the Active Travel team within Wicklow County Council believe option 4 is the best way forward and has reached phase 3 – the preliminary design stage.
Option 4 would provide for a one-way system with widened footpaths and allows additional room within the footpaths for increased public realm spaces.
It does not, however, allow cyclists to travel by bicycle northwards along the road. Cyclists would have to either divert eastwards to Delgany Wood Avenue or dismount and walk their bicycle northwards.
It's believed the provision of adequate footpaths on both sides and reduced road width will encourage pedestrian activity between the various commercial premises along Convent Road.
Speaking during the meeting several councillors raised concern about the proposals in their current form with Cllr Orla Finn believing they overly favour pedestrians.
“We need to cater for cyclists and public realm measures. Businesses also need to be supported. The current proposals need to be reviewed.”
Echoing those sentiments Cllr Stephen Stokes said there are some concerns within the village.
“The Delgany Community Council have already expressed their view that they would prefer option 7. No one is against further investment here.
However, I would be concerned like Cllr Finn about removing parking options in the area. That is a serious issue that needs careful consideration.”
“Businesses are critical to the village’s identity. We need to support them.” he added.
Option 7 in the report would see the introduction of a two-way system with widened footpaths and a mini roundabout.
This option does not provide as much space for pedestrians and the public realm as much as Option 4, it also requires extra land for the construction of the roundabout, and for these reasons it is ranked behind the options that create a one-way system for traffic to increase footpath space.
Cllr Tom Fortune expressed concern about how much say the National Transport Authority have in local active travel projects, believing the team within the council “have their hands tied.”
Cllr Louise Fenlon Gaskin believes car parks shouldn’t be included as part of the consultation process while Cllr Mark Barry stressed the importance of installing traffic lights to avoid a rat run during peak hours of the day.
Cllr Lourda Scott welcomed the progress being made on the project; it having been stuck in planning since 2020.
“I believe there is a massive need for footpath improvements in the village and we must not forget to allocate space for disability and age friendly parking.”
The overall reason to focus on option 4 relates to the need to address design standards and safety audits due to the constrained area.
The NTA have backed the scheme with the potential for a future funding allocation.
A public consultation process on the plans is expected to last for six weeks and will run from the end of August into late September.