The Green Party has welcomed planned improvements to 'The Metals' pedestrian and cycle route, which links Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey, financed under the government’s ‘Smarter Travel Project Fund’.

The fund of €15 million to be spent over 5 years is aimed at supporting small sustainable transport projects that can deliver real and measurable changes in people’s travel choices and behaviour at a local level.

Green Party TD for Dún Laoghaire Ciarán Cuffe said:

“I wrote to the County Manager in July 2009, alerting him to the Smarter Travel Project Fund and urging him to apply to improve cycleways in the County. I’m delighted that the Council were successful in a number of their applications.

“I particularly welcome the announcement that over €200,000 has been secured to upgrade The Metals between Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey.

“The Metals is a popular pedestrian route and cycleway for people in Dún Laoghaire and, at 3.5 kilometres, links towns, Dart stations, schools and parks. It’s a valuable resource and there’s great scope for increasing the number of people who use it everyday.

“The work will include improvements to the various road crossings that intersect with The Metals to make it safer for users. It will also result in better facilities for those with mobility and visual impairments, including the use of tactile paving.

“New directional signs will be installed along the route, as well as information panels illustrating the history of The Metals.

“This is part of a wider set of improvements to Dún Laoghaire town, which includes a new promenade on Marine Road, that will make it a more attractive civic and family-friendly space for residents and tourists alike.

“As the funding is only available for 2010, we will all benefit from works to The Metals by the end of the year. The Council will present these plans for public consultation in March and I’d encourage those who walk and cycle along The Metals to have their say on its upgrade.” 

Read the Green Party's Submission to 'The Metals Walkway' public consultation below.

The Metals Green Party Submission May 2010