Summary of Progress 2006-2009

Following the announcement of Government support for the S2S Project in November 2006, the then Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche TD formed a working group to coordinate the project with representatives from the Department of the Environment, Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Councils, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority and the Dublin Transportation Office.  The work of this group has continued to be supported by The Minister for the Environment John Gormley and Noel Dempsey, Minister for Transport. Acting through Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the working group arranged for more detailed studies to be undertaken of the route in 4 sections:

(1) S2S North at the Bull Island,

 

(2) S2S Centre through East Wall and Ringsend.

 

(3) S2S South from Sandymount to Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

 

(4) S2S Sandycove: from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Sandycove.

 

S2S North is the section between the Wooden Bridge and the St Anne's Causeway at Bull Island where there is currently no promenade nor cycleway. It is just less than 2km in length.  The study of this section was undertaken by Roughan and O'Donovan, Civil Engineers in 2007 and was completed in late 2008. The study proposed a number of options for the construction of the promenade and cycleway with a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the options. The environmental impacts of the preferred options were also assessed and when completed the environmental study was submitted to and approved by An Bord Pleanala in late 2008.  It is expected that S2S North could proceed to planning permission and construction stage in 2009. This is good progress. An indication of the approaches to the section that are being considered can be found at the following link http://www.dra.ie/documents/T_Leahy_Sutton2Sandycove22Nov.pdf

 

The S2s Centre covers the section from Alfie Byrne Road through East Wall to the Liffey and then to Sean Moore Road in Sandymount.  This section was studied by Dublin City Council and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.  The plans envisage two routes in East Wall: One route follows East Wall Road to the East Link Bridge.  The second route is through East Road and New Wapping Street to a new pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Liffey to Sir John Rogerson's Quay.  Sir John Rogerson's Quay  will in turn link to Ringsend with another new bridge at the Grand Canal Gut. The bridge over the Grand Canal Gut is due to be completed in 2010. On the south side alternative routes are proposed through Ringsend Park.

In November 2008 the Minister for the Environment John Gormley TD announced that money would be included in his carbon budget to enable these works to proceed.

 

S2S South extends from Sean Moore Road in Sandymount to Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The study on this section of the route has been undertaken by Scott Wilson, Engineers. Large areas of Clontarf, Sandymount and the City Centre are at risk of flooding from rising sea levels and changing weather patterns. It was decided to incorporate essential elements of flood defense measures that are necessary to protect these areas into the relevant parts of the S2S project.  This was a sensible decision.  The study is therefore understood to include the provision of flood defense measures at Sandymount along with the promenade and cycleway.  As of February 2009 the study is thought to be virtually complete, save for some further minor work. It is to be hoped that the authorities will proceed with the next stage when the current report is complete. 

 

S2S Sandycove extends from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Sandycove and includes the old Dun Laoghaire Baths.  The study of this section is being undertaken by Royal Haskoning on behalf of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. This stretch of the coast has already been the subject of numerous studies by DLRCC in the recent past.  Problems with the old Dun Laoghaire Bathes and the complicated topography of the site have made it difficult to find an affordable solution the Council that commands widespread support.  The inclusion of the S2S in this area has not of itself been a significant problem, but rather the other problems have made it difficult to find a holistic solution that allows this section of the S2S to be resolved.

 

Objections: While there continues to be overwhelming support from a wide section of the community, health, tourism and sports organizations and all government and local authority agencies, it has to be recognised that there are a number of individuals who oppose the construction of the promenade and cycleway.  Objections are based on the belief that the promenade may affect the birds in the bay or the flora that inhabits small sections of the route. It is clear that a number of environmentalists do not share these concerns and recognise that the project would bring significant benefits to the community and the environment of the Bay as well as providing the first truly sustainable transport facility in the city. 

 

It is vitally important that the many people who support the project should let their public representatives know of their views by writing or e-mailing them in the first instance and by talking to them in the run-up to the local elections. There is no doubt that the support in the community for this project is overwhelming.  It is vital that the authorities are aware of it.

 

S2S February 2009