Sustainable Skerries has made a submission on the draft Active Travel Plan for Skerries. You can read it in the Submissions section, and we have also copied the full text below. Submissions close on Monday 19 January at 23:59, and can be made here: https://consult.fingal.ie/en/consultation/draft-skerries-active-travel-plan
We encourage everyone to make a submission of their own. People are often more likely to submit when they don’t like a plan, so it’s important that those of us who support the plan in its overall shape also have our say. Naming what you support (and any tweaks you suggest) helps shape a better final plan for everyone.

Sustainable Skerries welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft Skerries Active Travel Plan (‘the plan’). Overall we strongly support the aims of this plan to improve traffic circulation, provide better access to public transport, shorten walking and cycling distances,  enhance pedestrian accessibility and connectivity, provide safe, practical, and accessible cycling routes and create a more attractive and welcoming environment  for residents and visitors. We note the multiple environmental, societal, health, and economic benefits of active travel, which have been evidenced extensively through research, as referenced in the plan. We appreciate the  recognition of Sustainable Skerries, Skerries Open Orchards and Skerries allotment holders as key stakeholders for enhancing the natural environment of Skerries (p.95). Sustainable Skerries would be happy to provide input into more detailed plans for  landscape buffers, sustainable urban drainage systems, pollinator friendly planting etc.

Communication

We appreciate the extent of communication on the plan so far. We encourage Fingal County Council to continue to actively communicate with the local community including via social media. It is important to ensure that there is active and constructive discussion based on the facts, and to encourage broad engagement through multiple channels (e.g. local community groups, informal Whatsapp groups etc.).

Accessibility and Safety

We welcome the many new proposed pedestrian crossings and narrowing the entrances to various roads, which will make it safer to travel on foot or by cycle, as well as for anyone using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The plans to increase permeability / open up routes through the estates to pedestrians and cyclists will make many areas of the town more easily accessible. The proposed path alongside the railway line would make it significantly easier for residents of Ballygossan and nearby estates to walk to the railway station, this would be a big improvement.

To improve the plan from an accessibility and safety perspective, we ask that it is further reviewed to address the current issue with pedestrian access to the Community Centre, St Patrick’s Junior & Senior national schools and the route to Church street beside the schools and tennis courts – see map below.  Anyone walking in from the Dublin road side towards central Skerries has to cross the car park entrance to the Community Centre. This is a very busy entrance way since the Community Centre is used throughout the day.  Cars exiting the Community Centre are on an incline and have limited visibility.  At the busiest times, when children are arriving at or leaving the school and the Montessori, cars are often also using the entrance in both directions for various activities.   The lights at the nearby pedestrian crossing can take a very long time to change, which leads to two dangerous situations.  Many people don’t bother to wait for the lights.  But also, when there are lots of primary school children waiting to cross, the crowd further reduces driver visibility & sometimes reaches as far as the car park entrance.

We would love to see the experts on the active travel team come up with change(s) to make this busy area safer for everyone.

We note that a suggestion has been made to use the Community Centre Car park for a “park & stride” to the Community College.  Such a plan would make it doubly important to make the entrance way safer for pedestrians.

The proposed additional pedestrian crossing close to Gavney’s Gap will give a welcome extra option, but doesn’t remove the need to cross the carpark entrance.

Green Spine

We fully support the proposal of the “green spine” as a continuous, sensory friendly, shared active travel facility; with its emphasis on inclusivity and environmental sensitivity.

However, while the green spine is a wonderful idea, it passes through an area where there is an existing problem caused by traffic for Skerries Community College.  Currently, at drop off and pick up times in particular, but also at the start and end of lunch break, a large number of cars converge on Foxgrove & Townparks (both cul de sacs) at the same time – see map below.  This results in cars being parked all along one side of the road, and other cars making 3 point turns in the road, or being forced to drive on the wrong side of the road to pass them.  Often there is gridlock.  At the same time, pupils are arriving / departing on foot and bicycles. In conjunction with the green spine encouraging active travel through this route, measures may need to be taken to discourage vehicular traffic at these busy times. Extended streets near both community college entrances should be considered as part of the “front-of-school” interventions.

Cycling  Infrastructure 

We welcome the proposals for  improved cycling infrastructure, including new & improved cycle lanes in the town centre and on the Barnageeragh Road. We note this is consistent with local pre-consultation feedback.  As well as encouraging cycling, these will also improve traffic flow as cars will mostly no longer have to use the same roadspace as cyclists.. We believe the proposed  one way system on church street, thomas hand street and strand street would bring big improvements, with relatively minimal inconvenience to drivers. We would expect that the improved movement in traffic would compensate drivers using the slightly longer route of the proposed one-way system in the town centre. We agree that trialling this proposal is a good idea and this should hopefully provide some reassurance to those raising concerns. 

We recognise that reduced parking is a key concern. However research shows that a substantial proportion of short car journeys could feasibly be walked or cycled https://www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Behavioural-Energy-and-Travel-Tracker-Report.pdf. There is also research demonstrating that businesses benefit from re-allocation of road space to active travel  Blackrock 4-year Covid Mobility Follow-On Feb 2025. See further research references below.  We would really  like to see car parking spaces freed up for those who really need them and may currently struggle to get them at peak times, especially people with mobility issues or other needs who cannot walk or cycle. We also feel that parking in Skerries needs to be reviewed holistically across the whole town. There are many broader issues that need to be addressed, including parking for campervans (mentioned in the plan), which currently take up substantial space on the South Strand every summer. We also expect more visitors via the Fingal Coastal Way, a park and ride facility should be considered for them.  It is positive that the plan includes the possibility of using smart technology to assist with deliveries and other parking requirements.

Public Transport

A mobility hub at the train station would be a very positive development, making it  easier for even more residents to use active travel to access the trains and encouraging visitors by train. Like other submissions, we feel the town would benefit from a bus stop at the train station itself (notwithstanding that there is one near the train station access way on the Barnageeragh Road). The plan mentions new Bus Connects routes but our understanding is that these are delayed until 2027 at the earliest and the routes are not necessarily finalised. Skerries would really benefit from a local town bus service (preferably using an electric bus to reduce environmental impact), serving the estates, town centre and train station. Such a service would help reduce car traffic and alleviate car parking issues. Upgrades to bus shelters will be very welcome, we request that bike stands be considered as part of these upgrades at strategic points where there is sufficient space, to further help active travel connectivity.

Biodiversity and Water Management

We are strongly supportive of the biodiversity and water management aspects of the plan, including Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in laneways, pocket pollinator friendly gardens and support for the carder bee habitat. We note the proposed lane through the St. Patrick’s Close Open Orchard, we would be happy to discuss this further and request that existing trees are protected.

Further Research

We understand that some people in the town are worried about the changes, as research shows that people do not like change, and find it difficult to find the positives about proposed changes that they didn’t initiate. Research shows that, while communities often resist infrastructure changes like pedestrianisation or bicycle lanes, acceptance typically increases after implementation. It simply takes time for residents to grasp benefits like improved safety, cleaner environments and greater liveability. Research findings consistently show that many business owners initially concerned about loss of customers report higher revenues once foot traffic increases. Overall, once people experience the positive outcomes, such as reduced accidents and enhanced community spaces, initial objections tend to fade, and support grows.

Several studies support this:

1) New York City’s Department of Transportation Study (2013)

This study examined the impact of bicycle lane and pedestrian plaza projects, finding a 49% increase in retail sales on streets where bike lanes were installed, compared to only 3% on streets without them. It also showed improved safety and community approval after the infrastructure was introduced.

Source: “The Economic Benefits of Sustainable Streets” – NYC DOT

2) Copenhagen, Denmark – Cycling Infrastructure Impact (2010)

A study conducted in Copenhagen on cycling infrastructure revealed a significant increase in cyclist numbers and a corresponding rise in public approval after bike lanes were introduced. Residents initially skeptical about the changes came to appreciate the benefits, including improved safety and reduced congestion.

Source: “City of Cyclists: Copenhagen Bicycle Account 2010”

3) Melbourne, Australia – Business Impact Study (2014)

Melbourne introduced pedestrianisation and cycling infrastructure in certain districts. Initial business opposition turned to support as the report found that foot traffic increased, and businesses experienced a 20% rise in sales.

Source: “Economic Impact of Bicycle Infrastructure in Melbourne” – The Urbanist

4) UK Department for Transport Study (2018)

This study looked at multiple cities in the UK where bicycle lanes were added. Support for cycling infrastructure rose from 40% pre-implementation to 70% post-implementation, as the public recognised safety, health, and congestion-relief benefits.

Source: “Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Report” – UK DfT

5) Netherlands Road Safety Impact Study (2015)

A study in the Netherlands found that pedestrianised streets experienced a 20-30% reduction in accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. This contributed to greater public approval of traffic-calming and pedestrian-focused infrastructure over time.

Source: “Road Safety Effects of Pedestrianization in Dutch Cities” – SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research