Outdoor Summer comes to Fingal - p. 4

Councillors agree plans for outdoor enhancements

At the Council Meeting on 10 May, councillors agreed to a motion proposed by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy, which was:

“That this Council makes provision for an Outdoor Summer in line with public health advice in order for the needs of the Fingal and wider community during the coming months and to include the following:

• Re-allocating space to and improving facilities for active travel throughout the

County;

• Re-allocating street space and car parking space for public realm use and for use by restaurants and cafes;

• Providing increased public seating;

• Working to help businesses which produce packaging waste which risks becoming litter to move to more sustainable production and consumption models (including deposit and return schemes, use of compostable packaging and taking responsibility for that packaging);

• Promoting and enforcing compliance with litter legislation;

• Increasing maintenance of open spaces, beaches and street spaces;

• Protecting sand dunes from trampling and other vulnerable habitats from excessive visitor pressure;

• Increasing the availability of public toilets;

• Availing of Central Government funding for road space reallocation, prevention and management of litter, additional outdoor infrastructure and management of open spaces.

Outdoor Summer plans for Malahide, Swords and Skerries

Opposite: New Street, Malahide pedestrianisation map. This plan features canopies, bench and table layouts, planters, and access routes for emergency services and delivery purposes.

This page: Swords and Skerries pedestrianisation maps. Both plans feature a mix of outdoor dining areas, bicycle racks, additional bins, and disabled parking spaces.

Above: Swords Main St plans & Skerries Harbour Road proposals for outdoor dining

Newsdesk Have your say in Swords survey

Fingal County Council has urged local residents and stakeholders to get involved in the Sustainable Swords placemaking project which is focused on the regeneration and compact, sustainable development of the town.

Two surveys have now opened as part of the consultation process and local residents, businesses and interested stakeholders are urged to get involved.

The aim of Sustainable Swords is to identify a co-ordinated range of ‘pipeline’ projects for which future funding can be sought.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr David Healy outlined the vision of the project in terms of creating and sustaining a vibrant focal point for the surrounding community.

“Sustainable Swords will focus specifically on placemaking within the town centre and it is intended that the historic shift away from Main Street that commenced in the early 2000’s will be reversed to facilitate better placemaking and a more resilient town centre. “The Sustainable Swords project will facilitate an accessible, inviting public realm that links with the natural and historic context of the Ward River Valley Park and Swords Castle, will improve permeability and enhance the opportunities for local innovation and economic development.”

Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly, emphasised the initiative’s focus on working with all stakeholders.

“Crucially, this project involves working in a collaborative way with those who live and work or have an interest in Swords to discover what their needs and aspirations are and how these can be addressed through the Sustainable Swords Strategy.

“Ultimately it is about creating good places that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being.”

The success of the project will rely on stakeholders to understand the existing space and contributors to the quality of life in the local community.

Matthew McAleese, Director of Planning & Strategic Infrastructure,

has urged interested groups and individuals to have their say.

“Going forward, public participation will be the key measure of success and therefore collaboration and public consultation will be prioritised and promoted throughout.”

Work has already begun to consult with local school children. An Taisce’s Green Schools are part of the project team and will be engaging with over 7,500 primary and secondary school students, undertaking audits of walkability and cyclability, and engaging with parents and students to understand what the children of Swords want their future to look like.

The Sustainable Swords strategy, which will include detail on a range of transformational projects, will be published in early 2022.

Fingal has appointed KPMG Future Analytics and Turner & Townsend to work with the Planning & Strategic Infrastructure Department to develop this Strategy.

More details on the project can be found at www.fingal.ie/sustainableswords