Work has begun on upgraded protected cycle lanes in Fingal as part of a county-wide commitment to create improved active travel routes.

A briefing was held in Swords at St Cronan's Road and Brackenstown Avenue in advance of the works, which include upgrading of the existing walking and cycling infrastructure in the area to improve safety, reduce traffic speed and create better connections to local schools and to Swords Manor Football Club, public transport and local amenities in the area.

The works also involve realignment and upgrading of junctions, road surface improvements, traffic calming, improvement of crossing points, segregation of cycle lanes using bollards and providing safer routes to school for St Cronan's National School.

Fingal's Director of Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel, David Storey commented: "Swords is a great example of a town that due to the growth of its population needs traffic calming and Active Travel infrastructure to support people who want to walk and cycle to school or work safely. These upgraded, protected cycle lanes offer protection for both the cyclist and the driver and this is particularly important around St Cronan's National School. This scheme and others like it are aligned with plans for Sustainable Swords which looks to the strategic regeneration and successful development of the town."

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Fingal County Council concluded a five-week public consultation on these protected cycle lane upgrades for St Cronan's Avenue and Brackenstown Road in late April. A report on submissions received from the public was published in May.

Welcoming the works, Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Seána Ó Rodaigh said: "The way that Fingal moves is changing. Active Travel is all about making local journeys most convenient on foot or by bike or scooter and to make choosing Active Travel easy it's important we give everyone access to safe pedestrian and cycling routes so they can head to the shops and the park on their bike or link up with public transport for longer journeys. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of local residents taking advantage of these lanes once upgrades are complete."

Works began on Monday, 23 May as GMC Utilities Group installed a site works compound at Ardcian Park.

This work will be completed in Quarter 4 of 2022 on a phased basis to minimise disruption to the local area.