Official sod turning ceremony for Phase 1 of the Tallaght to Ballyboden Cycle Route: Pedestrian and cycle route and bridges at Dodder Valley Park

19/03/2014

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Official sod turning ceremony for Phase 1 of the Tallaght to Ballyboden Cycle Route: Pedestrian and cycle route and bridges at Dodder Valley Park.

 Date: 19th March 2014

 The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Dermot Looney carried out the official Sod Turning Ceremony for Phase 1 of the Tallaght to Ballyboden Cycle Route: Pedestrian and cycle route and bridges at Dodder Valley Park today Wednesday 19th March.

 The ceremony marked the continuation of a significant new project by South Dublin County Council, funded by the National Transport Authority, that will form part of a wider network of new high quality cycle ways proposed throughout the Dublin region.

 The principal, teachers and 5th class pupils from the local St. Dominic’s National School were special guests of the Mayor and members of Tallaght Community Council Network were also in attendance.

 The project will provide two new bridges, one over the Dodder and the second over the Ballycullen stream and will increase links between the existing communities of Tallaght and Firhouse; by providing more direct routes for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridges will join Firhouse and Tallaght mid-way between Old Bawn and the M50 and will form part of both the Tallaght to Ballyboden and Dodder Valley Greenway cycle routes.

 South Dublin County Council has secured more than 1.5 million euro from the National Transport Authority to deliver this significant new landmark pedestrian and cycle bridge together with new footpaths and cycleways at the point where two planned cycle routes meet at Dodder Valley Park. Clonmel Enterprises Ltd. are the appointed contractor who will construct the route over the coming months.

 Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Dermot Looney said “given its attractive, riverside and parkland setting, the Dodder Valley route has significant potential for leisure and tourism as well as commuter cycling. In addition to improving the physical infrastructure with the support of the National Transport Authority, South Dublin County Council is working with Dublin City Council to develop the route as a ‘Greenway’ that will extend from Grand Canal Dock in Dublin City Centre to the Bohernabreena reservoirs in the Dublin Mountains”.

 The new feature bridge at Firhouse will be an important landmark in establishing a connected, high quality off-road cycle road. It is intended that as part of a wider cycle network that this will facilitate economic opportunities by enabling local families to enjoy a day out in a safe cycling environment and visitors to Dublin to take a relatively short, but physically active day-trip out of the City.

For further information contact: smartertravelsd@sdublincoco.ie

-ENDS-

Images

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  Mayor of South Dublin Count Council Dermot Looney with representatives from Tallaght Community Council at the sod turning ceremony for the pedestrian and cycle route and bridges at Dodder Valley
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  Mayor of South Dublin Count Council Dermot Looney with pupils from St. Dominic’s National School at the sod turning ceremony for the pedestrian and cycle route and bridges at Dodder Valley
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  Mayor of South Dublin Count Council Dermot Looney with pupils from St. Dominic’s National School at the sod turning ceremony for the pedestrian and cycle route and bridges at Dodder Valley