After many delays, Fingal County Council have put in a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the upgrade of the Royal Canal Greenway, between the 12th Lock and the border with Kildare. This will be a great asset for Dublin West, and one I have campaigned for for many years.
The proposal is for an 8.1 km stretch of shared pedestrian and cycle greenway, with public lighting provided on it between Hansfield Railway Bridge and the 12th Lock. A number of entrances into cul de sacs and public open spaces at Delwood and Brompton are also provided for. You can see the documents supporting the planning application on An Coimisiún Pleanála website here:
Some of the key features of the proposal are:
Provision of a generally 2–3 m wide unbound surface from the Kildare County boundary to Hansfield Railway Bridge.
Provision of a generally 3–4 m wide bituminous route from Hansfield Railway Bridge to Kennan Bridge, including a precast concrete cantilevered boardwalk.
Provision of a generally 4 m wide bituminous route from Kennan Bridge to Talbot Bridge, with in-situ concrete surfacing and raised boardwalks where required by local topography.
Provision of public lighting between Hansfield Railway Bridge and the 12th Lock, with the western rural section remaining unlit.
Ground level adjustments adjoining Delwood Park, including lowering of the greenway and provision of a 2 m high timber palisade fence with anti-climb mesh.
Construction of Quarry Bridge, comprising a 30 m single-span composite steel beam and concrete deck bridge, together with associated boardwalk sections.
Provision of privacy planting and railings along the Brompton green area to supplement the existing boundary treatment.
Construction of Landmark Bridge across the Royal Canal, together with associated ramped approaches.
Construction of an underpass beneath Castleknock Road on the southern side of Granard Bridge.
Submissions with your views on the proposal and any comments you have (accompanied by a fee of €50) must be via the Commission’s online submission portal https://online.pleanala.ie/en-ie/sid/observation by 5:30pm on Monday 11 January 2027.
You can also make submissions via post (including the €50 fee) to: An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin, D01 V902.