[banners_ad id=136] |
An online funding campaign set up to raise money for the legal costs of opposing the Sandymount cycling route in Dublin has raised almost €20,000 on GoFundMe.
The campaign had gathered €19,380 from 133 donors at the time of writing. It is intended the money will be used to mount a legal or planning challenge to the new cycleway.
One donor opposed to the two-way coastal cycle route along Strand Rd has given a donation of €1,000, with the fund now very close to its €20,000 target.
Some 2.6 km of two-way continuous protected cycle route would be provided between Merrion gates and Sean Moore Rd, though those behind the online fundraising campaign are determined to explore their legal and planning options to stop the project.
“We are in the process of raising funds to cover costs in
relation to our planning and legal options and to continue our fight for a
solution that will provide Sandymount with a cycle lane that utilises existing
available off road potential,” the STC Community fundraising campaign says.
Advertisement
“We are now seeking contributions to finance this. All funds will be used solely for necessary expenses and for professional fees and returned pro-rata if not used.
“STC Community was originally a group of local residents from Serpentine Avenue/Tritonville Road and Claremont Road concerned about Dublin City Council's Strand Road cycle lane proposal but it has expanded throughout Sandymount, Ringsend, Irishtown, Ballsbridge, Booterstown and Merrion.”
Work has already commenced on the cycleway project with
the intention the route will be open from March 1st for a six-month trial.
Related News
The two-way cycleway being installed will result in vehicular traffic being reduced to one lane on Strand Rd, with drivers allowed to travel outbound only to the Merrion Gates.
The plan has been welcomed by the public, with 3,000 people responding to a round of public consultation and 56 per cent saying they were “strongly in favour” of going ahead with the trial six-month period.
A further 17 per cent said they had some concerns, mainly
relating to how it would divert traffic to other roads in the area, and 27 per
cent registered their opposition to the trial.
However, despite the 2:1 ratio of clear support versus clear opposition, those opposed to the cycling route have been vocal in their opposition, including residents’ groups and some councilors.
In January a number of residents' groups claimed the council’s plans for the scheme required planning permission and they signaled they were preparing a submission for An Bord Pleanála, asking it to rule on the matter.
The residents' groups, and others opposed to installing the cycleway on what is now a road, have argued the cycleway could be installed on the boardwalk on the sea side of the wall running along Strand Rd.
However, that project was estimated at costing €48 million when proposed in 2015, before being dropped in 2018. And last August Dublin City Council unveiled its plan for the two-way cycle route that would reduce Strand Rd down to one lane for drivers in vehicles.
Dublin City Council has pressed on with those plans, saying the project does not require planning permission.
It has also pointed out the cycleway was in line with Government advice to local authorities that they should create cycling and walking facilities to accommodate the transport shift - from vehicles towards cycling and walking - witnessed since the pandemic began.
Topics
